Dilapidated building issue remains at impasse

by Melody Gustafson
EAST LIVERPOOL – Bill Smith, owner of the old Potters National Bank building at East Fourth and Broadway, agrees that it’s a good idea for Kent State East Liverpool to purchase his building.

“Just give me a bid,” he said Tuesday. But his idea of an acceptable offer is something he’d rather keep to himself for now.

Smith regrets that he did not know about the Oct. 10 public meeting announcing the University District Plan at the East Liverpool Alumni Association Clock Tower. He wants to be a part of the discussion that surrounds the spot where he operates his auto machine shop business, and he is displeased that no one invited him to the meeting.

Candy Solterbeck, KSU-EL dean Jeff Nolte’s executive assistant, pointed out that a notice appeared in the local papers. “There were a lot of people there who didn’t receive an invitation,” she said. “It was a public meeting.”

After hearing rumors of pending condemnation of his building, Smith contacted the city and learned about some of the safety complaints made by Kent State, but as of Tuesday, he had yet to receive the formal condemnation notice.

A Kent State University employee reported last week that he was nearly hit by bricks falling from the roof of Smith Auto while someone was repairing a chimney. Soon after the incident, the sidewalk on the Fourth Street side of the building was secured with yellow safety tape, which is to be pulled down soon. According to Smith, the rest of the structure is solid and sound.

“These walls are 6 feet thick with brick,” he said. “There’s no way I’m going to restore this building. It costs too much to redo.” If no one purchases it, Smith will continue in the same way, doing the best he can with the automobile machine shop and parts store.

Henry Trenkelbach, business manager at KSU-EL, noted that the university has limited funds with which to expand, and he is only permitted to pay the appraisal value for any property he acquires.

“To pay more would not be using our tax dollars wisely,” he said. Any offer the university makes will be a reflection of that value.

Solterbeck noted that a meeting will be arranged between KSU-EL representatives and Smith on the matter. Until that time, Smith says he will keep building motors in the bottom of the old bank. “I like it, and I want to keep going,” he said.