The Mount Vernon City Council has approved a capital lease agreement with Central Ohio Technical College (COTC) to relocate City Hall to the college's Mount Vernon campus building at 236 South Main Street. This decision was made during the council's meeting on June 23.
According to a video of the council meeting, Safety Service Director Tanner Salyers explained that just 48 hours before the deadline for an agreement to move to Heartland Commerce Park, partnering with COTC became a viable option. The college's board subsequently approved the capital lease agreement.
Salyers said, "What we are proposing is to enter into a purchase agreement structured as a capital lease with COTC to acquire the building at 236 South Main Street. The facility which COTC currently occupies will become the new Mount Vernon City Hall, serving as a central location for administrative departments, public service offices such as utility billing and the Income Tax Office, and city council chambers." He further noted that "COTC currently owns the building. They plan to maintain operations in the building's second floor."
The building comprises three floors: a basement, ground floor, and second floor. According to Salyers, it is equipped for administrative functions and eliminates the need for costly new construction or extensive renovations required by alternative sites. This move is expected to save the city $10 million compared to renovating facilities at Heartland Commerce Park and allows for an earlier relocation of city services.
Salyers also mentioned that current city administrative buildings will be remodeled as part of an expanded Mount Vernon Justice Center campus, which will include new construction north of the existing City Hall site. The city plans to divest itself of other downtown properties, including what is commonly known as the Taugher building on Public Square's northeast corner. The sale of these properties aims to support downtown revitalization through private development opportunities.
Despite this relocation plan, Salyers emphasized that Mount Vernon remains committed to redeveloping Heartland Commerce Park. The city intends to collaborate with the Area Development Foundation and Land Bank in exploring legal avenues for mixed-use development at this site, potentially incorporating residential housing or commercial space.
The capital lease agreement facilitates relocating administrative services by late fall.
