GIRARD — Demolition work will begin this year at the Wellman Theater off West Liberty Street as the city proceeds with getting the property updated for future use.

Safety Service Director Mark Ragozine said at Monday’s city council meeting the first phase of the project will be the demolition of the alleyway by the theater and parts of the roof, general cleanup work in sections of the structure and utility work.

Council passed legislation to seek bids for the demolition of the alleyway and roof repairs and renovations for the theater.

“We want to begin showing progress on the building and where we are headed,”‘ Ragozine said.

Councilwoman Lily Martuccio, D-at Large, said the project also will include removal of the roof area over the alleyway.

She said the second phase will be interior work, with removal of old curtains and theater seats and cleanup of different interior rooms. American Rescue Plan funds are being used for the work at the theater.

Also, Ragozine said the roof at the city hall building needs to be checked by Tema Roofing Services, which the city has a contract with for roofing repair and patch work twice a year. He said there are some issues with the roof over the zoning department and where the entrance of the city gymnasium is that need to be addressed.

Ragozine said there has been some water getting through the roof, causing leaks.

“Water has gotten through when there is heavy rain. We probably will see more water when the snow melts. We need to be ready and secure parts of the roof,” he said.

The city also is seeking bids for that project.

DAM IMPROVEMENTS

In other business, Dennis Meeks, city engineer, said the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is mandating dam safety upgrades be made to Girard Upper Lake dam.

Meeks said a study is being done by Verdantas of Dublin on the lake and dam.

He said the city received a $168,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the study. He said the city needs to first spend the money and then will later be reimbursed.

“This is a safety issue,” Meeks said.

The Upper Girard Lake dam is considered a high-hazard dam, which is why it qualifies for FEMA funds. He said if there is 36 inches of rain in a six-hour period, the dam would overflow.

Meeks said in 1995, the city paid $2.5 million to purchase Girard Lakes, which is 175 acres. He said removing the dam would cost between $6 and $10 million, but the lumber from the trees nearby could be sold to raise funds.

Resident Tonya Carpenter asked if there are any plans for the Girard Lakes property.

Council President Reynald Paolone said there have been ongoing talks about the property, but nothing has been decided. Ragozine said there are visions for the property, but the first step is to address the mandated improvements at Girard Upper Lake.

John Moliterno, D- 3rd Ward, said he is chairman of the lakes committee and will be glad to receive citizen input on what to do with the property.

FERAL CATS

Ragozine reported that talks have taken place with Steel Valley Spay and Neuter to get feral cats in the community gathered up so they can be spayed or neutered and vaccinated.

“There have been feral cats reported on Hartzell and Prospect streets and other sections of town. We will have a plan in place for the next meeting to work with the clinic to take the cats there to be treated and then released,” Ragozine said.

In other business, several residents thanked the city workers for clearing the snow during the recent snowstorm.

Resident Mike Costarella asked if snow can be removed by the cemetery.

“I understand that no one knew the snow was going to be around this long,” he said.

Resident Randy Emery said he was concerned that no snow was removed by the theater building on West Liberty Street. Ragozine said that area could have been overlooked because there was so much snow to clear throughout the city.

Councilman James Clark, D-2nd Ward, said he would like to address blight in parts of the city. He said many communities deal with blight because of vacant buildings in poor condition.

“We need to see what we can do to get buildings back up to code,” Clark said.

In other business, council:

• Confirmed the appointment of Girard resident Gordon Byrne to the Trumbull County Combined Health District Board effective March 1.

• Requested legislation be prepared to allow the Ohio Department of Transportation access to the bridge on U.S. Route 422 over Little Squaw Creek for routine maintenance. There is no cost to the city.

• Announced the streets and sidewalks committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday on downtown parking.

• Announced the zoning committee will meet at 5 p.m. Feb. 19 at the Girard Free Library, followed by the blockwatch meeting.