Tuesday, April 11, 2000
Lebanon asked to help save old house
By Cindi Andrews
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LEBANON — With one week before time runs out for a historic but badly burned house, some on City Council suggest eminent domain could be used to save the Mechanic Street building from being torn down.
“We've got to do it quick if we do anything,” Councilman Ron Pandorf said Monday. “I don't want to spend any more money; but it is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, building in town.”
The Mechanic Street building is not on the agenda for tonight's 7:30 council meeting, but Mr. Pandorf said it likely will be discussed. John McComb bought the house for $75,000 in February. In November, it had been damaged by fire.
The city planning commission agreed April 18 to let him demolish the building, reportedly to be replaced by a parking lot. The Lebanon Conservancy Foundation, however, argued to preserve and restore the house, and Mr. McComb agreed to hold off for 30 days.
He said Monday that he plans to go ahead with the demolition.
Marilyn Haley, foundation president, personally offered Mr. McComb $80,000 for the house after the April meeting, and he counteroffered $150,000 — more than Mrs. Haley could pay, she said.
A study commissioned by the group said it was 42 percent damaged — still salvageable — but Mr. McComb said other estimates put the damage at above 60 percent, and it would cost at least $292,000 to restore.
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