University Heights City Council and Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan continue to disagree on how the city should go about improving municipal facilities.
University Heights City Council and Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan are in disagreement over how the city should proceed with adding needed new municipal facilities.UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio -- City Council approved a motion Monday in the name of “moving forward” in a quest for new municipal facilities.
Council members and Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan are in disagreement over how to proceed. Brennan would like for the city to acquire the former Wiley School building and a portion of its property as a possible future community center and home for a public service department center.Another point of contention is that Brennan believes council needs to seek a tax increase from voters if it moves forward with plans for a new police and fire station, service center and possibly a city hall. Vice Mayor Michele Weiss, however, says the city can afford to spend $30 million by using city funds and paying off bonds over a number of years.In January, Brennan issued a memo in which he stated that the funding proposal Weiss has put forth is “unrealistic” and that he would not sign off on that proposal. He said it is “fiscally irresponsible” for the city to borrow $26.5 million of the $30 million without a “source of repayment, other than our own general fund.” “And to do so at a time when we’re facing recession based upon current economic conditions -- a self-inflicted injury by the present administration in Washington,” Brennan said. “The idea that you’re going to decide whether or not to vote on this, irrespective of that, but not honoring the idea that we absolutely need the money for other things related not just to this project, but to community programming in general,” he told council. Brennan said the city has an obligation to residents to take Wiley -- an underutilized asset -- and make it into something useful. “I hope the council reconsiders and sees how important it is that the city take on this property, when the school district cannot, and have that be part of the overall program,” he said. “I would urge the council to re-examine the idea of our negotiating with the school district to take on this entire property, less the portions that needs to keep for the bus depot, the bus garage, for the board offices, and we’ll have to work out if they want to use a wing of classrooms for the STEM program or some other similar program.”Eberhard talked about three possibilities for new facilities, as enumerated by the specialty architecture firm council has hired, FGMA Architects.-- Keeping all four needed municipal facilities where they are now located -- at the current City Hall complex, 2300 Warrensville Center Road. Those four facilities include new police and fire stations, a new public service center and a new or renovated City Hall building. -- Constructing only a service center at the Wiley property, 2181 Miramar Blvd., and keeping other city operations where they are now. -- Using, either temporarily or permanently, a portion of the Wiley property as “swing space” for City Hall. Council unanimously agreed Monday to approve FGMA’s need assessment/space program summary that spelled out the three options and to further explore those options.The Wiley property remains under the ownership of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education.Speaking of what she saw on that tour, Weiss said, “The basement had two huge areas of, literally, standing water. “The roof in the new gym has problems right now.“It’s a monster, that building. We can’t afford the building. We can’t afford the upkeep.”If the city were to purchase it, parts of it -- such as onetime classrooms -- would have to be demolished, he said. With asbestos in the building, he said demolition costs would be on the high side of the current estimate of $7 to $14 per square foot. The option of building new police and fire stations at the current City Hall site and a new service center at the back of the Wiley property -- which Weiss said are the most necessary parts of the project -- would cost nearly $40 million.“We need to see how to either right size or phase the next steps,” Weiss said. As for where things now stand, Weiss said: “We don’t know the placement yet. We don’t know the cost yet. But that’s part of the next step.Built in 1953, Wiley has amenities that include the new gym and a 900-seat auditorium. When asked what might be accomplished in 2025 pertaining to determining a plan, Weiss said, “I think the master plan will be finished.”“I think we can at least get that far. And it’s possible that there could be some smaller steps,” she said.Brennan has announced that he will not seek re-election this fall, so he will serve as mayor through Dec. 31. If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our
Facilities-Plan University-Heights-City-Council Michael-Dylan-Brennan
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
City Council passes resolution that supports Columbus City Schools' fight for fundingColumbus City Schools now has more support in its fight to get more funding for the district in the future.
Read more »
City Council passes resolution that supports Columbus City Schools' fight for fundingColumbus City Schools now has more support in its fight to get more funding for the district in the future.
Read more »
City council declares Boston a 'sanctuary city' for transgender communityMatt Prichard is a political reporter at NBC 10 Boston, covering local, state and. national issues.
Read more »
Brook Park City Council discusses preparing city for a domed stadium“That’s the first thing you’re going to see when you fly into Northeast Ohio,” Brook Park Mayor Edward Orcutt said.
Read more »
University Heights council overrides Brennan’s veto of rental fee, inspection ordinanceUniversity Heights City Council voted 7-0 to override a veto by Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan on a March 3 ordinance pertaining to rental properties.
Read more »
Councilman says city’s General Counsel has ‘lost the trust and confidence’ of city councilCouncilman Rory Diamond said on Wednesday that General Counsel Michael Fackler should step down from his position as general counsel for the city of Jacksonville.
Read more »