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CORTLAND -- City council on Monday approved a motion to demolish two abandoned buildings at 267 and 269 W. Main St. The buildings are a house and Cooper's Cycle and Fitness Center.
Council President Kevin Piros said the abandoned fitness center will cost too much to renovate.
"It has fallen into total disrepair and, therefore, the land bank will arrange for it to be demolished and leveled," he said.
He said the fitness center relocated to 134 N. High St. years ago. Piros said council hasn't decided what the empty property will be used for once the buildings are torn down.
He also said the demolition of the buildings will benefit the community and the fitness center is an eyesore.
"Anything we can do to make the downtown area more appealing and friendly," he said. "In this case it (the fitness center) was a safety hazard as well. The roof collapsed and there was a water break."
The demolition of these two buildings will be conducted by the Trumbull County Land Reutilization Corp. and will be completed through the Building Demolition and Site Redevelopment Program offered by the Ohio Department of Development.
Cortland Mayor Deidre Petrosky said the house will be demolished this week with the fitness center coming down next week. The project will cost more than $28,000.
Councilman John Picuri thanked Petrosky for her efforts on the demolition project.
"We are one step closer to getting the town cleaned up, and I think that's a great thing and I'm glad to see it," he said.
In other business, council members approved an ordinance for the service director to purchase a new 2023 Ford F-250, 4-by-4 pickup truck from Mark Thomas Ford.
Cortland Service Director Kimberly Blasco said this truck will replace the city's 2009 Ford F-350 pickup because it recently "went down."
Piros said the truck will cost $51,395 and will be used by the service department to help it fix waterlines and sewer lines as well as provide storm service.
Council also approved a motion for Frank Daugherty's appointment as a member the Planning, Zoning and Building Commission.
"We had a vacancy so he has graciously volunteered to fill the unexpired term," Piros said.
Daugherty replaces Don Bell.