MOUNT VERNON — Dilapidated buildings and the scholarship program for Hiawatha Water Park/Pool were discussed in Mount Vernon City Council committee meetings Monday night.
John Fair, Streets and Public Buildings Committee chairman, told council the former Mount Vernon Middle School on North Mulberry Street is now considered a construction site and is not considered to be dangerous, much to his dissatisfaction.
“I’m really disappointed,” Fair said. “I was hoping there would be benchmarks [the owners] would have to meet.”
Currently, the owners, Kokosing River Residential Care Facility, have a permit with the Ohio Department of Commerce to work on the roof. That permit, according to council member Mike Hillier, expires in March 2011. The permit to fix the windows expired in August.
“It still has broken out windows and not just on the north and south sides of the building,” Hillier said.
Both Hillier and Fair agree the building should continue to be considered a dilapidated building until the owners bring the building up to standards set by the Dilapidated Buildings Commission.
Safety-Service Director Dave Glass told council over 200 windows have been replaced, some windows have been replaced but are boarded up for safety reasons and an additional six windows will be bricked over, according to conversations he has had with owners.
“I would like to see the city of Mount Vernon have a meeting with [owners] to see where its going,” said Hillier. “I don’t think [their] interest is in how the building looks for the city of Mount Vernon.”
samantha.scoles@mountvernonnews.com