Coldwater to buy two former McDonald's properties

COLDWATER - Village councilors on Monday night agreed to purchase two McDonald's properties on Terrace Avenue with the intention of then selling them to buyers who plan to turn them into new businesses.

After returning from a 21-minute executive session to discuss land and personnel, councilors unanimously authorized village administrator/ engineer Eric Thomas to purchase the former McDonald's restaurant and former bank.

When contacted by the newspaper after the meeting, Thomas said he believed the purchase price for both properties is $425,000, but noted he didn't have the documents in front of him.

"They (McDonald's) won't sell one property individually, so the bank and the old McDonald's are being sold together," he said.
"Without us being involved, we didn't think it would happen. We're trying to get those buildings to be in use again," Thomas added.

One of the prospective buyers intends to turn the former McDonald's restaurant into a family-style restaurant not affiliated with a fast-food chain, Thomas said. The other prospective buyer wants to use the former bank for a banking-type service, he added, stressing that plans are still tentative at this point.

Thomas said the village will eventually transfer the properties to new buyers through the Mercer County Community Improvement Corporation (CIC).

Political subdivisions can convey property directly to another entity via the CIC rather than having to solicit sealed bids or hold a public auction. It allows elected officials to strategically coordinate economic and community development.

In other business, councilors passed on final reading an ordinance accepting the plat of RK Development Phase One. Randy and Karen Schwieterman plan to develop a subdivision on the west side of town. The plat of RK Development Phase One consists of five lots intended for single family residential homes between West Vine Street and Burkettsville St. Henry Road.

The plat encompasses lots 1816 through 1820.

Councilor Brad Niekamp reported on the finance committee meeting held April 22.

In other action, councilors gave first reading of an ordinance that would grant a 3% cost of living increase across the pay schedule.

Finance director Jason Eyink said the ordinance would be effective July 1.

In other business, council members appointed Josh Carrasquillo to the Mercer County Regional Planning Commission as the representative for the village of Coldwater. He replaces Dave Homan who resigned after serving many years on the commission.

Also on Monday, police chief Kevin Wynk said he spoke with a Coldwater High School civics teacher about the senior class' community service hours. Mark Bruns said he could put Memorial Park on the list for next year as an option for students since there are concerns about the appearance of the park.

Wynk said he's received complaints about speed on the new section of West Vine Street connecting to Burkettsville-St. Henry Road. He had officers patrolling the area with no violations observed. He borrowed the St. Henry and Fort Recovery police department's speed trailer and has that in place.

Thomas said he spoke with a contact at the Ohio Department of Transportation about using ODOT grants to purchase solar powered speed indicators to be used on the state routes at the entrances of town. He should receive word next month if they would qualify.

Councilors on Monday also learned,

• downtown merchants will host food trucks every second and fourth Friday downtown.

• junk drop off for village residents is May 16-18.

• the next limb pick-up is May 20.

Council meets next at 7 p.m. May 27 at the village hall.