BROOKFIELD – Township officials are preparing for the demolition of the former John Schuster’s Steak House building on Brookfield Avenue in Masury.
Code enforcement officer Pete Ross told township trustees at their meeting Monday that the building will be demolished in mid-September.
Trustee Chairman Dan Suttles said the Trumbull County Land Bank owned the property. He said asbestos was found inside the building and needed to be addressed before demolition could proceed. The cost for the asbestos remediation work was $100,000 and will be covered by the land bank and county commissioners with American Rescue Plan funds.
Suttles said the property has been vacant for years.
In recent years, the township has had assistance from the Trumbull County Council of Governments in defraying costs for demolition, including the Gray Wolf Tavern. Suttles said this project is through the land bank.
In other business, to improve security from the city administration building, administrators approved a request for quotes to install parking lot lights for the front and side of the building. Suttles said officials want to add current lighting to make the area brighter. He said some lights were not working.
Suttles said Police Chief Dan Faustino will request quotes and apply for funding for the project.
Trustees also approved proceeding with the sale of two town-owned parcels, one located on Davis Street and the other on Syme Street. Suttles said bids are being solicited and will be opened at 4pm on September 23.
Suttles said there are restrictions on the property, such as certain manufacturing and vehicle storage will not be allowed. Suttles said administrators wanted to make sure the properties didn’t become eyesores.
Also at the meeting, trustees heard from a Brookfield schools representative about high school students interested in doing community volunteer projects in town.
Suttles said that in past years, students have helped with leaf raking and snow removal. He said city and school officials will consider various project ideas.
The trustees are also looking at three projects for which they will use American Rescue Plan funds. Suttles said ARP’s proposed projects include refurbishing playground equipment and $45,000 in park improvements; railings and other work on gazebo in center green at $10,000; and landscaping and mulching in the green center at $7,000.
In other actions, trustees:
• Planned a special meeting for September 14 at 6:00 pm at the park for public input on possible improvements to the park;
• Hired Prime Electric for $3,094 to do electrical repairs at the fire substation off Addison Road;
• Approved replacement of LED parking lot lights at the police station.
