Wellman

“I’m so glad we didn’t tear this down,” Wellman City Council member Fern Bontrager said, standing in the upstairs apartment inside the historic brick building at the end of 8th Avenue. “We just couldn’t pull the trigger.”

“I’m glad we didn’t,” fellow council member Shannon McCain agreed.

At their regular meeting on May 20, the city council took a short trip down the street to the former Starbeck/Miller building, where owner Karmen Cady showed the council around the rehabbed space that now houses the retail shop Simple Happiness on the ground floor, as well as a kitchen and work area where classes will be held. Upstairs, a two-bedroom apartment will be rented out as an Airbnb.

Years ago, the City of Wellman purchased the derelict 1909 building for $1, and after assessing its condition, planned to demolish it. However, when approached by the Cadys in 2022 with an idea for restoration, the city council jumped on board, committing $100,000 toward its rehabilitation and helping secure funding through a state Community Catalyst Building Remediation Grant.

Monday night, they saw the results of that decision: a stunning transformation that has helped attract other business owners to downtown Wellman, as well as earned the appreciation of those who have memories living and working in the building.

Council Action

Back in council chambers prior to the tour, the council heard from Washington County Sherriff Jared Schneider, who updated the city before they approved the FY24-25 contract for services with the department.

Schneider mentioned there is a need for more no-parking signage along 8th Avenue; emergency sirens for the county received Riverboat grant funding and will be replaced; and progress is being made by the county to replace the communication tower in Wellman damaged by the March 2023 tornado.

No comments were made during the public hearing on the FY24 budget amendment, and the council subsequently approved the amendment.

A chicken application was approved, discussion on replacing a departing employee at the skating rink was tabled, and the council set a public hearing for June 3 for borrowing up to $143,000 from Federation Bank to purchase a new truck.

The Wellman City Council will next meet on Monday, June 3 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.