Parking lot propsed (10/09/07)

DUNKIRK - A potential step toward revitalization of the downtown area is under consideration here.

Speaking at Monday night's city council meeting, Dunkirk area resident Chuck Huffman said he was representing a small group of investors who own and are interested in making improvements to the former Harold Nichols building at 126 S. Main St.

Huffman said the investors were seeking a commercial tenant for the structure, but first wanted to see if city officials were interested in selling some nearby lots or building a parking lot in the area which borders the west side of Main Street and Lincoln Avenue.

The answer was "maybe."

The two-story building is located next to four city-owned vacant lots currently covered with stone.

The buildings on those lots were demolished a few years ago.

Huffman asked council members if they would consider having the lots paved and landscaped for parking. Huffman said the investors would consider buying or leasing the lots from the city, and council members responded that they would rather sell the vacant lots out-right to Huffman's group and let it pay for paving and landscaping.

This is the type of project the Dunkirk Improvement Committee has been working hard to spark, Mayor Sam Hubbard said, and he added that the committee should be commended and thanked for its efforts to get private individuals interested in upgrading the city's downtown.

City attorney William Hinkle said the city had several options concerning either selling or leasing the property. Council members Connie Whetsel and Craig Faulkner said they would rather have the city sell the vacant pieces of property, putting them back on the tax rolls.

Hinkle and Hubbard agreed to review the matter further, and try to establish purchase or lease price figures. Hubbard said that he and Hinkle would get some appraisals for the four pieces of property which could be reviewed at the next council session.

Council members gave them the green light to proceed and gather financial information about the value of the land in question.

In other action at Monday night's meeting, council members:

•Heard an update from clerk-treasurer Jane Kesler on the status of city hall and its odor, mold and troublesome humidity problems. She said the building will continue to be open only in the mornings until the problems are resolved, noting that she is still waiting for the completion of testing procedures, designed to determine the sources of the problems.

Smoke-testing of nearby sewer lines is also scheduled in the next week, she said. Hubbard said city council meetings will be held at West Jay Community Center until further notice.

•Agreed to pay a bill of $385 to Bill Tressler Excavating to repair a water leak problem at the home of Joyce Wells, 116 Grand St. City water department superintendent Dace Mumbower recommended that the bill be paid, saying that upon final review he felt the leak was the city's responsibility.

•Approved a trade with Safety Systems of Richmond for equipment and installation work, valued at $3,350, for emergency lights and radio equipment on the city's new 2008 Crown Victoria squad car in exchange for the department's used 2003 blue Chevrolet Impala patrol car. This was an even trade, Police Chief Arnold Clevenger said.

•Awarded a contract to Newsome's Tree and Stump Removal, Dunkirk, for cutting down four large trees in Dunkirk City Park at a cost of $500. Councilman Tom Johnson said that the city park board had voted in favor of this project and selected Newsome even though a lower quote, totaling $400, had been submitted for the job. This measure was approved by a 3-1 margin with Whetsel voting against it. Councilman Jim Doughty was absent from the meeting.

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