Editor’s Note: This article was updated on June 25, 2025, at 1:45 p.m. to clarify language about the 99-year COTC lease.
MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon City Council on Monday approved buying the Central Ohio Technical College building at 236 S. Main St. for the city’s new administrative offices.
As recently as last month, the city was looking to relocate City Hall to Heartland Commerce Park.
Mayor Matt Starr said during listening sessions on the proposed municipal buildings, someone suggested the city consider COTC.
Administration officials initially considered relocating the Mount Vernon Municipal Court to the South Main building. The city’s consultant, Pizzutti Solutions, said that it did not provide sufficient space for the court, but could work for City Hall.
“We found the COTC building was a much better fit for a number of reasons, two of which are it enhances the time frame for us to be able to move on other projects, and it saves what will probably be in excess of $10 million to the taxpayers,” Starr said.
The current City Hall will become part of an expanded Mount Vernon Justice Center campus. It includes a fully remodeled interior along with new construction north of City Hall.
Safety-service Director Tanner Salyers said the city intends to divest from other downtown properties to pursue private development opportunities that support downtown revitalization and new residential housing.
“These efforts are actively under discussion, and updates will be shared with the public as the process advances,” Salyers said.
The divestiture includes the Taugher Building, located on the northeast corner of Public Square. It also includes the utility billing and income tax office.
COTC will occupy the second floor of the South Main building.
Salyers said crews will begin minor renovations in late summer or early fall. He anticipates remodeling to take 30 to 60 days.
The city plans to occupy the facility by late fall 2025.
City still committed to developing commerce park
Pizzutti recommended a lease-purchase agreement for the 31,942-square-foot facility, which COTC’s board approved.
Under the agreement, the city will make 12 annual payments of $323,331.50 to COTC. The payment includes 4 percent interest for a total paid of just over $3.879 million.
The city will use cash reserves set aside for municipal facilities projects to make the initial payment and cover remodeling costs.
It will budget for the remaining annual payments.
“No new debt will be incurred as part of this acquisition.”
Mount vernon safety-service director tanner salyers
The city and COTC will negotiate a separate 99-year lease for the college to occupy the second floor of the building. COTC will not pay rent until year 13, after the city has purchased the building. COTC will pay $40,208 in the first year. Successive rents will increase by 10 percent every five years.
The college has the right of first refusal if the city decides to sell the building. However, the city cannot sell during the 12-year, lease-purchase agreement.
Council President Bruce Hawkins, a COTC board member, recused himself during discussions.
Salyers said the city is still committed to developing the administration building at Heartland Commerce Park.
The city is working with the Area Development Foundation and the Knox County Land Bank to explore strategies for mixed-use development of the site, which could include residential housing or commercial space to support continued growth.
“Regardless of what the outcome is there, we feel that it’s in the city’s best interest for the development of that site, so we’re going to work with our partners there to make sure that something happens there, even if it’s not us moving in,” Salyers said.
Downtown location for City Hall saves millions for taxpayers
According to Salyers, COTC became an option hours before the city needed to present an application to the Land Bank for the administration building at Heartland Commerce Park.
The COTC building is attractive because it is a modern facility already outfitted for administrative functions.
“It eliminates the need for costly new construction or extensive renovations as alternative sites required, and it allows for the consolidation of departments, including utility billing and income tax, which improves efficiency and public accessibility, which is big for us,” Salyers explained.
“It enables the city to reallocate resources to other priorities, such as constructing a new fire station on the east end of Mount Vernon or completing the entirety of the Justice Center project.”
The city will hire a local design firm to ensure the building is equipped for all the city’s needs. Maintenance of the city’s space becomes the city’s responsibility on Jan. 1, 2026.
Onsite and street parking is available to residents.
After-hours access for tax and utility payments will be via a secure drop box.
A significant savings
“The $10 million is significant that we’re going to save through the things we approved tonight. … That’s a lot of money to save our taxpayers,” Councilman Mel Severns said at the end of the council’s legislative session.
“The other thing I think is important, in addition to just being able to move sooner, is that we keep our city workers right here in the downtown to support local businesses in the downtown at lunch every day. I think that is another benefit to utilizing this property right down the street.
“I think we’re moving in the right direction, and I feel hopeful about that.”
Councilman James Mahan said he attended all but two of the listening sessions.
“I really believe that even though this is not the technical letter of that conversation, moving to this building represents the spirit of that conversation in being wise, saving money, and partnering,” he said.
“I’m pleased with it and again, I appreciate the tremendous amount of work it took to go through all that and then pivot, but still stay within the spirit of those public wishes.”
