New demolition order expected for West Park Shopping Center

MANSFIELD — Mansfield Law Director Rollie Harper told lawmakers his office is working with the city’s Permitting and Development Office on a new demolition order for the West Park Shopping Center on Park Avenue West.

Harper made the announcement at Tuesday night’s Mansfield City Council meeting.

He said that new order should be filed in the next 60 days and will include the parking lot and the “correct commercial language.”

The city initially ordered the demolition of the 1157 Park Ave. West structure more than two years ago during the administration of Mayor Tim Theaker and Law Director John Spon.

That move spawned a myriad of discussions and arguments between the city and the owners of the property, West Mansfield Realty, and its parent company, New York-based Namdar Realty Group, and its ever-changing legal representatives.

“Frankly, we inherited this case and there was a faulty demolition order to begin with. It didn’t include the parking lot, which is what we have go back and re-do. That’s what we are doing,” Harper said in November.

Mayor Jodie Perry, who also inherited the situation, said in November she understands the frustrations from local residents weary of driving by the eyesore in the middle of what has been a key retail area in the community.

 Namdar’s website listing for the property looks nothing like the reality Mansfield residents see every day.

“We (she and Harper) are both frustrated by it, too,” she said. “I don’t want people to think this has not been a priority or something we are not working on. I would say we are looking at all angles.”

Over the last two years, local officials have said Namdar is tough to pin down. It has a portfolio of nearly 400 properties, which includes more than 170 retail properties in 37 states.

One of those is the Pittsburgh Mills mall. A story published at TribLive in October in Pittsburgh said, “The owner of Pittsburgh Mills mall has built a real estate empire by buying dying malls and letting them deteriorate before selling off property and walking away, leaving helpless communities in its wake, according to officials where Namdar Realty Group owns assets.”

The story said, “Last year, Namdar reported a gross profit of $86.7 million, up nearly 10% over the previous year, according to the Wall Street Journal. Yet the company fails to invest in its properties, appeals property tax assessments — and often wins relief to the tune of tens of millions of dollars — and then sells the assets to developers at a sizeable profit.”

When the new tear-down order is issued, Namdar may choose the following appeal paths:

— appeal the order to the city Planning Commission.

— if that fails, it can appeal to the local, county or Ohio Board of Building Appeals in the State Department of Commerce.

— if that fails, Namdar can appeal to the Board of Building Appeals with the local Richland County Common Pleas Court.

— if that fails, the company can appeal to the Ohio Fifth District Court of Appeals.

The law director said once all appeals are exhausted, the company can hire a company to tear down the buildings and parking lot or the city will have the work done, billing the company for the costs.

While the formal demolition track continues, Perry has aid she is continuing to work to find solutions from the development side.

“I’ve had conversations with potential people who could buy it,” she said. “We would much rather have it locally controlled. We are investigating all options.

“It’s not acceptable for that property to continue to languish,” the mayor said.

In legislative action, City Council on Tuesday:

— approved payment of $2,600 to Donald Kaufman of 1196 Royal Oak Court for damages created by a water main leak at the main valve leading to the property from the curb in August 2024.

— approved payment of $1,665 to David Moore of 906 Linwood Place for damages caused by a sewer backup in September 2024.

— approve demolition of dilapidated structures at 509 Lida St., 339 High St. and 352-354 Third Ave.

— approved a “then-and-now” certificate of payment to the Canton law firm of Baker, Dublikar in the amount of $4,060. The city law director’s office contracted with the law firm in December 2023 to assist in an unfair labor practice lawsuit prior to submission of a purchase order.

— approved a “then-and-now” certificate of payment to the Columbus law firm of Bricker Graydon in the amount of $8,268.75. The city law director’s office contracted with the law firm to assist with the zoning code for cannabis control prior to submission of a purchase order.

— approved acceptance of a $33,931.10 grant from the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services under the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant. Funds will be used to defray the costs of forensic science overtime, contracts, supplies and equipme