MEDINA, Ohio -- While the city has learned that the proposed South Elmwood parking lot improvement project is not eligible to receive funds from a building demolition site revitalization grant, officials are hopeful the project will be considered under a different grant program.
"This is something we discussed in Finance Committee two weeks ago," Economic Development Director Kimberly Marshall said.
"But it has been determined by the state that our project isn't eligible, since there isn't actually a structure on the parking lot.
"So, we are switching gears and looking to apply for a brownfield redevelopment grant. That grant is also under the Ohio Department of Development, but is a different pot of money."
Council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the city to apply for the brownfield redevelopment grant.
Marshall said applications are due Dec. 5, and added that she believes the project is eligible for $100,000 in funding.
Marshall said the renovation would double the amount of parking spaces in the lot from 40 to 81.
It would also include a retention basin to help with drainage issues, as well as lighting and landscaping.
Council President John Coyne said the folks constructing the Legacy Hotel originally were interested in the parcel, but discovered that the cost to renovate the parcel into a parking lot would be at least $400,000.
He said hotel officials have expressed that they would be willing to cover up to 50 percent of the cost of the renovation.
Under this agreement, the lot would be available for public parking, but hotel guests could also use it when hotel parking is full.