Utility work for new mall store could cost city

FINDLAY — Utility and street work in preparation for a new big-box store at Findlay Village Mall could cost the city about $200,000. Legislation was introduced to council during regular session Tuesday that would authorize city administrators to advertise for bids and enter into contracts for the work at 1800 Tiffin Ave. Money for the "utilities access project" would be appropriated from the city's capital improvement fund. City Engineer Jeremy Kalb said the city is working with the mall developer to relocate and replace some utilities on the mall's property and relocate an existing entrance on Tiffin Avenue. On Tuesday, Councilwoman Holly Frische, R-1, questioned spending public dollars on improvements to private property. Frische said utility modifications are typically a developer's expense, and the city's involvement could set a precedent for future developments. However, Kalb said the waterline is a public line within the mall property, and the city wants to rework some of the service lines to the building, replace some of the hydrant leads and eliminate multiple fittings that could leak. The city will also work with the developer to relocate the west entrance to move it further from the intersection on Tiffin Avenue. Kalb said the move will create better lines of sight and improve safety. Doing the work as the project is under construction will save the city money, Kalb said. As part of the project, the mall developer will also be evaluating the existing sanitary sewer. The city has received multiple calls for grease backups on the line, which eventually back up into the main sanitary sewer. Mall update In September, the Findlay City Planning Commission approved plans to demolish the 188,000-square-foot main part of the mall, and replace it with a 131,809-square-foot big box store. The retailer's name has not yet been made public. The new building would be separated from the Dunham's and Michael's stores to the west, leaving room for a 24-foot drive aisle and 44 additional parking spaces on the west side. The new building's front façade will be closer in line with the Runnings store to the east. Runnings, Best Buy, Tokyo Steakhouse, Michael's and Dunham's will remain. The new store will abut existing buildings to the east and to the north, but it will not be connected to them.