NOVA — The Ashland County Land Bank has accepted a $25,750 bid from Barcus & Sons Dirt Works and Trucking for the demolition of a dilapidated Nova house.
That bid was the second lowest bid, with the lowest coming in at $21,600 from Albright Construction Company based out of Milan, Ohio.
“He has done a couple of projects for us. He’s done a good job,” Land Bank Executive Director Bill Harvey said about Barcus.
The board approved the higher bid because of that established relationship and because it is a Jeromesville-based company.
“I’m actually shocked with $25,000. That is a huge project. I literally thought it would be a $50,000 quote,” board member Tiffany Meyer said.
Board president and Ashland Mayor Matt Miller echoed Meyer’s words, noting the board has razed smaller homes for similar demolition costs.
Harvey said the next steps will be for him to write a contract to be signed by Barcus & Sons and the Troy Township trustees.
After that, Barcus & Sons will draft a project timeline with a start date and estimated completion date.
Demolition will include removal of all above-ground and below-ground structural components on the property, trees/stumps, root systems, debris disposal and erosion control.
Building and project history
The Nova house, at 919 U.S. Route 224, was the former site of the Reed House restaurant, which was open from the 1970s to 1990s.
The house was built in 1901 and remodeled in 1975, according to Ashland County Auditor records.
But the property has sat vacant for years, leaving it in disrepair and as an eyesore in Nova.
“It’s come up before many, many times over the last couple of years,” Miller said at the February board meeting where the group agreed to fund the building’s demolition. “The township trustees have repeatedly called us and asked us if we can help take care of it.”
Board members agreed to allow the property owner to maintain ownership, with a five-year lien. That five-year lien means the property owner could not sell the property in the next five years, or the owner would owe the land bank the demolition cost.
After demolition, the property will become a private parking lot, owned by Lora Callihan.