City Gets Covenant Not to Sue on Paramount Site
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The city of Youngstown has received a covenant not to sue under the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s Voluntary Action Program for the site of the former Liberty-Paramount Theatre, Ohio EPA announced Monday.
The covenant covers the quarter-acre site lat 138 W. Federal St., where the theater had operated from 1918 to 1976. A covenant not to sue protects the property’s owner or operator and future owners from being legally responsible to the state for further environmental investigation and remediation relating to known releases, according to the Ohio EPA. This protection applies only when the property is used and maintained in accordance with the terms and conditions of the covenant.
Following standards developed by Ohio EPA, the city hired a certified professional to assess the former theater and address any areas of environmental concern. Because the unstable building contained asbestos, it was demolished and the debris taken to a landfill licensed to accept asbestos-containing material. The city received $803,490 in Clean Ohio money for the demolition and site remediation.
The building was demolished last July, following various unsuccessful attempts over the years to renovate and revive the property. Most recently, preservationists sought to retain the building’s historic façade for use as part of a proposed amphitheater at the site. A structural analysis showed preserving the façade would be too cost prohibitive.
The lot will be leased to the Youngstown Central Area Community Improvement Corp. and used for parking as part of an agreement to demolish the Kress Building downtown.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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