Ravenna will spend $178K to repair wall outside Guido's damaged in demolition

Ravenna City Council will use revolving loan funds to repair damage to the wall separating Guido's restaurant from a downtown building that was demolished.

Council unanimously approved an ordinances authorizing the use of $178,425 for the wall repair.

Councilwoman Cheryl Wood explained that the revolving loan fund is state dollars, which came from loans for façade upgrades downtown years ago. When the loans were repaid, the dollars went back to the fund so other projects could be funded.

The vacant lot, at 218 W. Main St., previously housed a lawyer's office. It was demolished last year.

Neighborhood Development Services has presented plans for a mixed-use development on the site at 218 W. Main St.. The plan calls for green space, a stage, tables and public seating, swings and some additional parking beside and behind the space. That project also will be funded using Revolving Loan Funds.

Mike Bogo, deputy director of Neighborhood Development Services, said there are no immediate plans for a mural, but the repaired wall will be treated and a mural could be put there in the future.

When the building was demolished, City Engineer Bob Finney said, it wasn't known that the structure was tied to Guidos through a common wall. Demolition stopped in order to prevent the Guido's building from being damaged.

Next week, council will consider legislation to give Guido's ownership of the wall.

Council also held a first reading on a Joint Economic Development District agreement with Rootstown. Ravenna's public hearing on the JEDD is scheduled for 6 p.m. Aug. 21. Rootstown's public hearing will take place at 5:40 p.m. Aug. 22 at the Rootstown Town Hall, 3988 state Route 44 in Rootstown.

Reporter Diane Smith can be reached at 330-298-1139 or dsmith@recordpub.com.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Ravenna will spend $178K to repair wall damaged in demolition