Columbiana Port Authority Eyes Headquarters Fix Up

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio -- While it’s a bit early for spring cleaning, the Columbiana County Port Authority is looking at fixing up its home office at 1250 St. George Street.

At its monthly meeting Monday evening, board members approved a contract with A&I Studio, East Liverpool, to perform a complete assessment of the building’s mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, its structure and the probable cost of bringing everything up to date. Port authority CEO, Tracy Drake, said he’s considered this project for a couple years, and believes the 22,000-square-foot building is suitable for renovations and improvements.

“I’ve always firmly believed that you preserve your assets,” Drake said. “And this is a type of building that requires a set of eyes who know how to preserve an older asset like this.”

Drake called A&I Studio and its principal, Scott Shepherd, “The best in the business,” and said it’s “advantageous for us to have someone local who we can bring on board to take a look at the building and see what kind of improvements need to be made.”

Drake hopes the upgrade can incorporate some green elements, such as solar panels, if the building is deemed suitable. The building was constructed in the 1920s and houses about eight tenants.

“This is a neat, old building with a lot of character, and it would be great to preserve it,” Drake said.

The port authority will pay A&I Studio a fixed fee of $7,500, with a 20% down payment of $1,500. Drake plans to meet with A&I soon to discuss a time frame and said the project will likely take a month or two.

In other business, Drake assured board members that things are moving forward with other projects. While he couldn’t say anything specific, he said, “Everything seems to be on track as far as the businesses that we’re working with.” Last week, Drake and other board members met with the Salem Area Industrial Development Corp, “to discuss areas of mutual interest and opportunity,” he said.

“Working together is a good thing,” Drake said. “There’s a lot of opportunities for many groups to work together to move Columbiana County forward, particularly in the face of the oncoming oil, shale boom. We need to all be together to be prepared to handle that.”