Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Finance and Management Director to enter into a contract on behalf of the Office of Construction Management with Maiher Demolition and Salvage for demolition of the former South Side Settlement House (SSSH) located at 310 Innis Avenue, as well as a city owned warehouse at 2077 Parkwood Avenue. The project shall include, but is not limited to, the demolition of two existing City buildings, associated structures, disconnection of utilities, and the removal of hazardous material.
The 2077 Parkwood Avenue warehouse was acquired approximately 15 years ago as a part of an overall facility complex plan for the Department of Public Service. However, it was subsequently determined that this was not viable operationally nor was there public support for the overall plan.
South Side Settlement, an Ohio not-for-profit corporation, deeded the SSSH to the City to be used to assist in the provision of a variety of social service programs in an effort to revitalize the south side neighborhood. Due to current economic conditions and the preceding cuts in support funding over the course of several years, South Side Settlement had not been able to support the maintenance of the building. The current building improvements suffer from functional obsolescence and significant deferred maintenance, and contains far too many deficiencies and lacks the overall amount of space to effectively serve as a neighborhood facility.
Since taking ownership the City has been working with the neighbors and the Southern Gateway Revitalization Collaborative as part of a comprehensive approach to revitalize the neighborhood. The former Reeb Avenue Elementary School has since been identified as the facility location for the delivery of these key neighborhood services. The Reeb School building will be renovated and possibly expanded, to house various non-profit entities providing programs and services identified as paramount for the revitalization of ...
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