The final word has been uttered regarding state funding for the demolition of the old nursing home at the north end of Rockhaven Road.
The final word has been uttered regarding state funding for the demolition of the old nursing home at the north end of Rockhaven Road.
It’s “No.”
Munson Township Zoning Inspector Tim Kearns told trustees last Tuesday the continuing saga of Kris Klingmann’s deserted nursing home has come to an end.
The most recent hope for financial help to get the place torn down — Ohio’s Moving Forward Grant — doesn’t cover commercial properties.
Kearns said he recently got word from the program’s headquarters in Columbus that since the huge building is listed on the Geauga Information System as nursing home/hospital, it is considered a commercial building even though the property is zoned residential and, therefore, doesn’t qualify for grant money.
When he told Klingmann the bad news, the owner asked to meet with trustees, Kearns said, so the zoning inspector was surprised when Klingmann didn’t show up at the meeting Tuesday.
Although he tried to call Klingmann during Tuesday’s meeting, he didn’t get a response, Kearns said.
It is not the first time trustees and Kearns have tried to help Klingmann with the problem. It is also not the first time the property owner has been expected to attend a meeting and not put in an appearance.
Geauga County Sheriff’s officers and the township fire chief have declared the old building unsafe for rescues and neighbors have lodged complaints about the abandoned structure.
Klingmann, who originally told the township he wanted to demolish the building himself after scavenging the flooring, has stalled the project several times.
The Moving Forward Grant is the second such grant that has failed to materialize.
Kearns presented a letter from the Geauga County prosecutor’s assistant declaring the township has already given Klingmann statutory notice that demolition is being undertaken by the township.
“They (trustees) can proceed with same (without re-noticing the property owner) unless the board of trustees decides to give Klingmann more time at its next meeting,” the letter read.
Tuesday, trustees said Klingmann has the option of paying for the demolition up front or having the cost added to his tax duplicate.
Trustees and the fiscal officer discussed suggesting to Klingmann that he might benefit by sending pictures of the building, which appears to be a large house, to the Columbus office in charge of the grant.
Trustee Andy Bushman said Klingmann could try convincing the grant organization the building is not commercial and he might get the grant, but the process for demolition is underway.
“The clock has started, either way,” Bushman said.
At a previous meeting, it was noted the grant is reimbursable, that is, the work could be done, the bills paid and, if the Ohio Moving Forward Grant organization reverses its decision, the money would then be available.
Kearns said any such action should be left up to Klingmann.
“We’ve been doing this for three years,” he said. “It’s up to him to do what he wants.”
Bushman concurred, saying the board should “proceed as normal” and leave it up to Klingmann to persuade Columbus.
“We’ve no skin in this game,” Trustee Todd Ray said.
Kearns said he planned to meet with an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency representative on Wednesday regarding the asbestos in the old building.
He said he will have quotes for the asbestos abatement and the demolition by the next trustees meeting in November.
