2023 PROJECTS … Board members Sean Rupp, David Newcomer, Stacy Lillard and Dawn Fitzcharles discuss upcoming projects during last week’s meeting. (PHOTO BY BETH CLARK, STAFF)
By: Beth Clark
The regular monthly meeting of the Williams County Port Authority was held Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at the East Annex Building Conference room on East High St, Bryan.
They discussed multiple properties in consideration for development in Williams County area towns and villages.
The meeting was called to order on time at 5:30 p.m., and Dawn Fitzcharles completed roll call that started the session.
David Newcomer led the meeting agenda, and the first three issues of December 14, 2022, approval of meeting minutes and the financial activity through January 16, 2022 and to include an open discussion over the critical thread: the cost, the lot sizes, how can the value grow, and more than single families are under consideration such as Duplexes and Triplexes.
A “Triple Checks and Balances” is now implemented by Fitzcharles under the “Hinkle Report” as required across the state of Ohio for all entities.
Fitzcharles explained the Port Authority Annual Report was mailed to Ohio State’s Auditor’s Office in Columbus and was done in the required timeline.
The question was asked by the members what the effects of the ending of the pandemic, will the prices possibly be coming down more in line for most builders and supplies?
The concerns especially for the cost of steel and concrete, which are still under the economic Law of Supply and Demand and is currently keeping their rates of steel and concrete “through the roof!”
Unfortunately, when Federal Infrastructure Projects are prioritized, it results in price increases mostly.
Big steel and big concrete demands go to the big government projects first. It causes price increases mostly and make it harder for smaller contractors, whereby, the supplies costs are passed down (transportation and materials).
Seeking the builders with “Housing Starts” currently down, estimates and proposals will come more competitive than during the pandemic crisis.
A huge donation for costs savings for the builders is coming from Allied Moulded, who is supplying the electric boxes and wirings all to be donated to the Port Authority for the endeavors mentioned.
The goal for the WCPA is to have at least 10 homes and have from 7 to 13 lots acquired all before the end of 2023.
It was stressed by Newcomer and the board members that the homes planned will be impressive and not intended for low-Income family housing, but for middle income housing to bring families and jobs to our local communities.
The single-family dwellings will have two bedrooms, two bathrooms, two car garage and more. They are not luxury homes but affordable homes.
Parcel No. 063-200-35-043.000 and a portion of the Parcel No. 063-200-35-042.000 of vacant lands are being considered for making bids to include the ‘option to purchase’ assignment to the contractors to begin the senior center project and the board members are super excited and the decision is to be made by May.
The contractor’s meeting held on January 31, 2023, all agreed to work together for all to get jobs, and for all to be paid, if all local contractors participate.
The Port Authority got the addresses of the willing contractors and plan to send out Proposals.
Lets support the Williams County Port Authority’s desire to make affordable middle income homes in desirable neighborhoods for families looking to remain employed and to raise their children and with the sandwich generation, to also care for senior members without leaving our towns and villages.
Beth can be reached at beth@thevillagereporter.com
