WELLSVILLE, Ohio — More than five months after a partial building collapse forced the closure of Main Street in downtown Wellsville, the roadway remains blocked as village officials and the property owner continue to disagree over who should pay for demolition.
The street has now been closed for more than 150 days. Village leaders say the central issue is whether public funds should be used to demolish a privately owned structure.
Shortly after the collapse, Mayor Bob Boley contacted a demolition company from Youngstown. Heavy equipment was transported to Wellsville and positioned at the site in preparation for demolition.
Village officials ultimately decided not to move forward with the work, maintaining that the building’s owner should be responsible for the demolition costs. Despite no demolition taking place, Wellsville was charged approximately $36,000 for bringing in and staging the equipment.
As the closure continues, concerns are growing over how much longer a portion of one of the village’s primary streets can remain inaccessible.
Councilwoman Cindy Mick questioned whether keeping the roadway closed for several additional months is a realistic option.
Boley, however, raised concerns about reopening the area while the damaged structure could still pose a safety hazard. He said responsibility for the condition of the building should ultimately rest with its owner.
The prolonged closure has also created challenges for businesses located within the affected section of Main Street.
Ryan Burgess, owner of Slack’s Antique Mall, questioned how the village would respond if another deteriorating building created a similar situation in the future. His concerns contributed to discussion among council members about potentially hiring a part-time building inspector who could identify unsafe structures before they become emergencies.
Village Solicitor Chris Weeda said Wellsville could attempt to recover demolition expenses from the property owner if the village eventually has to tear down the structure itself. However, there is no guarantee a court would order the owner to reimburse those expenses, potentially leaving taxpayers responsible for the cost.
Officials are also seeking reimbursement for the $36,000 equipment bill through the property’s insurance company.
The legal dispute could continue for several more months. A mediation hearing is scheduled for Nov. 4 in an effort to reach an agreement between the parties.
If mediation is unsuccessful, the case is currently scheduled to go to trial on April 1, 2027.
Until the building’s future is resolved, uncertainty remains over when the affected portion of Main Street will reopen to traffic.
