Two decisions helped spur the pace of preparing the grounds for the incoming G&W Foods on the old hospital site.
First was the decision to abandon construction of a stairway on the outside of the Medical Arts Building to its basement. Second was recognizing the likelihood that the building’s days are numbered, anyway.
At their meeting Tuesday morning, Allen County Commissioners agreed to halt plans of a stairway that would have allowed the basement to be used for commercial purposes. Without the stairway, the basement can be used for storage purposes only.
Danny Ware of Superior Builders said ceasing the project would save the county $15,000 as well as two weeks. Ware will concentrate efforts on repairing the west wall to the building that suffered damage when the old hospital was torn down.
Commissioners Tom Williams and Jerry Daniels gave a thumbs up. Commissioner Jim Talkington voted no, calling the change short-sighted.
Talkington’s contention was making the basement accessible for more than storage would make the building “more viable” for another use.
Williams countered, “I don’t want to spend money on a maybe.”
“Time is of the essence,” said Daniels. Besides, he said, “the elephant in the room is that the building’s future is probably limited. Its days are numbered.”
A recent development may give Daniels’ comment more credence.
David Toland, who through Thrive economic development has been instrumental in attracting G&W, had two critical comments:
— G&W “is calling at least once a week” about when the site will be ready for construction.
— The company has told Toland that it is interested in putting a hardware store next to the grocery, which, Toland said, likely would mean the medical building would be razed and replaced by a new structure.
As far as filling the gaping hole where the hospital one stood, commissioners expect a new contract to be offered from Nelson Excavating.
The original bid was for $138,300 and included units costs and provisions if more dirt were needed than estimated.
County Counselor Alan Weber said his concern was to get the hole filled as quickly as possible and compacted to meet specifications for the grocery’s construction.
If Nelson has documents ready before next Tuesday, the three commissioners said they would be eager to meet in special session.
