Chamber counting on continued efforts for Lisbon’s revitalization
LISBON –The Chamber of Commerce is hoping the village will continue with the downtown revitalization plan following the resignation of Mayor Joseph Morenz, who stepped down at the end of July with 17 months left in his first term.
Morenz’s major policy initiative — revitalization of the central business district by requiring property owners to fix up their buildings and make some effort to lease or sell them– was undertaken in partnership with the chamber. Chamber president Susan Shank said the future of the joint effort was discussed at this month’s chamber meeting.
“I think he was one of the very best mayors the village ever had,” she said of Morenz. “He had a great vision and it’s a shame he was not able to continue. We worked well together.”
The chamber and village council agreed in 2017 to split the $12,500 cost of contracting with the consulting firm of Town Center Associates to help Morenz develop a plan and implement it. The contract was renewed in 2018 under the same arrangement.
“Even if we don’t hire TCA (for a third year) I would hope the partnership would continue,” Shank said.
Shank also expects to continue that working relationship with Morenz’s successor, Roger Gallo. Shank has been out of town but she said she intends to speak with Gallo when she gets back “to see where he is about continuing to meet all of the goals.”
Gallo said before that he intends to continue moving forward with the revitalization plan as best he can.
In other chamber business, Shank said the Lisbon Landmark Foundation is in discussions with Renelee Lewis to purchase the building at 111-115 N. Market St. for a nominal fee of $1. The foundation is a committee of the chamber but operates independently.
The purpose of the foundation is to preserve and protect Lisbon’s historic structures, and the North Market Street property dates back about 175 years. The two-story brick vacant building was purchased by Lewis in 2017 for $10,400 to save it from being demolished. She is the sister of local preservationist Stevie Halverstadt, who is Landmark Foundation chairman.
Shank said the dilapidated building is certainly worth preserving given its age, not to mention it abuts the building next door. She said the building is in such bad shape that if the wall were to collapse it might bring down the adjoining wall.
“It’s vital that the building be saved because of the common walls,” she said,
The foundation may be in a better position to obtain state and federal preservation money to help repair the building.
tgiambroni@mojonews.com
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