12/08/2003 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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couple of flags this individual happened to see. One is the survey indicates there is a 2 1/2 foot section of wall in Rebecca's that has asbestos and the coinpany that did the analysis does not believe it is an issue in demolishing the building. The person he spoke with believes it is an issue and his recommendation would be to remove that 2 1/2 feet, perhaps that whole wall section. There is asbestos in the glue that holds the linoleum down. As far as the medical building, Mr. Barker said he thinks there was an error in the way they printed it out. There is a sheet that shows negative results but in the analysis of that area, it does show a positive factor for some asbestos. The removal of the asbestos part of the wall was quoted to him to cost about $1,200. He said he believes if Halleen goes to destroy the building, he would have to apply to the EPA before they do anything at all. There are some things in the report that are suspect and it does not seem to be as free and clear as Mr. Halleen has led them to believe. Mr. Yager said it is still a relatively good report in terms of what needs to be removed. It can be cleared out rather easily. Mr. Barker said in talking with the representative, he felt that just with the year of the building they would find some asbestos. He said that Mr. Conway had brought up lead paint. It is a commercial building and if they are able to move it successfully, it will remain a commercial building and lead paint is not acceptable. Mrs. Lord asked if they need to come together again with nothing but discussion about where they go with the building. They have talked and talked and kind of let themselves be led into the "let's move it" because they had given up that there was any way of saving it. If there is a way to save it then they have an obligation to do that. She is not sure they have all the answers but if there are some they have not pursued, they should talk about it. Time is growing short and she has a sense the building will be gone the day after the deadline. Mr. Barker agreed and said he agrees with Mr. Yager's sentiments. He said he thinks the only thing they can do at this time is talk to the Council representative and say they want to save the building right where it is. He said he will approach other Council members and would ask that all the board members do the same and call their representatives. He does not know what else they can do. Mr. Yager said it can't be financial. The reports coming from everyone in the city say there is not enough money to move it so you have to walk away from moving it because it's going to be demolished before it gets moved. Clearly, that is the case. It has to become an emotional battle between Council and Mr. Halleen to get him to reevaluate where he has his offices and maybe he can put thein in the Rebecca's building. He has had four or five ideas already about how he would service his clients, and he certainly hasn't pinpointed what he is doing. He just wants better visibility to his cars and the city should just tell him that is the wrong image at that corner. We are ruining a truly, almost pedestrian type of environment. It has to be Council people, friends calling the Mayor, send out petitions, do whatever is necessary in a month and a half. His fear is if it gets knocked down, the commission has very little power. Yes, the board can review roofs but this is significant. It is something the whole city will back. He suggested getting it in the newspaper, getting it on TV, and make it more emotional than financial. It is a financial issue now and it is losing. It has to become a passionate program and then Mr. Halleen might back off if he thinks that people aren't going to go to his store to buy cars because they are upset with his decisions. It may change his perspective. Mr. Barker asked Mr. Yager if he would be willing to say soinething to the Planning Commission. Mr. Yager said he already has and if the Landmarks Commission can give him back up, he would be willing to do a presentation. He can do a much better job when he has information in front of him. It was the first coinmercial building in the city and that alone says something. It was the city's post office. He needs to know these are concrete facts and would like someone to send him the issues that are significant to the building. Mrs. Lord said they most need to talk about what that corner represented and that is the remaining building of what was the center of town when this was a farming village. People often talk about how North Olmsted does not have a "downtown Medina" kind of look. If there is a downtown North Olmsted, it is that corner. That is the emotional center of town. There are people here who gave up on that when they moved the church. The Marathon station is there now. Every kind of service shop that a community needed 100 years ago was there. Mr. Yager asked if the city has an historical society and if so, where do they house themselves. Mrs. Lord said it is at Frostville. Mr. Yager said they may have a difficult time because there used to be a church there, and everything other than Rebecca's is now gone. He would go strictly 6