Macedonia historical site could face wrecking ball

MACEDONIA: Longwood Manor, the oldest building in Macedonia, might soon be torn down.

[Then]

sell it to someone from the public for $1.00, and let them have a chance, before you destroy it!!

[ans then]

the City will buy it back for a $1 million ! Sound familiar in Akron ?

Then wrote:

sell it to someone from the public for $1.00, and let them have a chance, before you destroy it!!

[Joyce Anderson]

Part 1:(due to a limit of 400 characters)
Donation of Longwood Manor and other property agreement:
The City of Macedonia was graciously donated hundreds of acres of property owned and operated by the former Mayor, which included several buildings specifically the Longwood Manor and its barns. This upon Macedonia accepting the donation, agreed to maintain ‘all’ of the property including restoration and/or upkeep of the Manor.
This donation also included an agreement that the City would naturally set up a ‘line item’ w/in it’s municipal budget to add to, take from as necessary and/or use for the purpose of maintenance of the donated property, including the Manor, which the City did;
Therefore, the City of Macedonia is the owner of this property, specifically the Manor;
Shortly after the donation, this specific ‘Manor’ fund Council Members incorporated it into (took money from this fund and divided it into) a couple of other budget ‘line item’ funds , which were labeled “Parks/Recreation” and/or “Parks/Recreation Development” funds;

[Joyce Anderson]

Part Two:
To date, the City has built up these funds w/proceeds gained directly from the use of the donated property;

Lease agreement with the Macedonia Historical Society:
The City of Macedonia leased the Manor and it’s surrounding property to the Macedonia Historical Society, which the lease is currently in place and in effect;

This lease agreement between the City and the Historical Society provides both parties adhere to specific contractual obligations. To date, this lease agreement is still in force/place, for which the City has intentionally breached their contractual obligation specifically regarding regular maintenance of the Manor which is “the” leading reason for it‘s current condition and/or for being ‘claimed’ condemned;

The manner in which the City breached their obligation is two-fold. One, the City to date, has not maintained regular property maintenance of the property per the lease agreement and/or the ’donation’ agreement, meaning the City has not spent one dollar to maintain it as agreed and/or collected funds to do. Two, the City intentionally pre-planned and/or permitted a non-state certified building (specifically a historical) inspector employee of the City to ‘claim’ that the Manor was condemned due to major structural problems needing repaired, which make the Manor unable to be used by the tenants/Macedonia Historical Society aka the Citizens of Macedonia and surrounding communities.

[Joyce Anderson]

Part Three:(due to a limit of 400 characters):
To date, the ‘so called valid’ inspection is not on record at City Hall and/or the Building Department. Requests have been made to receive copies of such and ‘all of a sudden’ no one can/could find the inspection report;

An inspection of a historical building is required to be above a percentage repairs in order for it to be considered condemned. Since the City does not and/or has not inspected the building w/in the historical codes, the building is technically not able to be condemned and/or if it the City did have it inspected correctly, the inspection would be far below the required percentage, therefore not placing the Manor in a position of being condemned.

The City intentionally did not follow their own building codes, the State’s historical and/or building codes and/or perfect service on the lease holder of the inspection;

The City in its breach position. has not attempted to resolve this matter which all is being requested by the Macedonia Historical Society is for the City to ‘lift’ the unofficial condemn status, allow them access to the Manor per the lease agreement and, to write a “Letter of Support” addressed to the Macedonia Historical Society in order for the Historical Society to apply for open grant funds to historically preserve/restore the Manor. Simply put, if the City provided the Historical Society w/a letter of support and their other requests would not require the City to use any municipal funds and/or keep the funds they’ve collected and placed into the Parks/Recreation and/or Development funds, to historically restore the Manor and lastly;

continued in part 4

[Something Wicked]

At least they have a shot (a long shot), not like the HISTORIC BUILDING AGMC bought a few years ago, and bulldozed in a blink of an eye.
Downtown Akron HAD some beautiful old buildings; once upon a time. This area seems to let them just be torn down.
I guess if you want to see grand architecture, you have to VISIT A DISTINGUISHED CITY, OR MOVE AWAY.

[Joyce Anderson]

Part Four (due to a limit of 400 characters):

Benefit’s of Longwood Manor being historically restored:
The City’s legal contractual obligation to the Historical Society could easily be remedied by simply providing the Society w/their request, which upon the Manor being restored w/grant funding, would immediately open other historical funding opportunities to the City and/or other historical property owners located in Macedonia, benefit the City and/or it’s Citizens by placing such a historical site ‘on the map’ for Macedonia, by attracting tourists to Macedonia who will spend money at other Macedonia retail operations, possibly open a business in Macedonia which would increase Macedonia’s tax base and most importantly, restore cultural history for future Macedonia generations.

The Citizens of Macedonia need to ask themselves and the Mayor, Council Members and Building Department employee's 'why would the City want to destroy such a beautiful piece of property, property that was graciously donated to the City and/or not perform it's contractual obligation and/or donation agreement in maintaining the Manor'?

Let the Macedonia Historical Society apply for funding to preserve the Longwood Manor!

[Samsons Mom]

BOO!!
I hate when things like this happens. They owe it to their first mayor to stick to his wishes.

[Joyce Anderson]

Then wrote:

sell it to someone from the public for $1.00, and let them have a chance, before you destroy it!!

Actually I asked just that of the Mayor and Council Members as a resolution to this matter, to rid them of their financial obligation to repair it, but not one of the City Representative's responded?

[Flora]

It is a shame. That land and home was bequethed to the people of Macedonia. Routine maintenance should have been done. Where is the local hisotrical society? Mr. Long was the 1st mayor of Macedonia as well as the longest in service. There is no excuse for it not being vcared for properly. The mayor and the city council should be ashamed for allowing this historical home to decay.

[Karen]

Absolutely no excuse for the condition of the home and grounds. Over 290 aces! A shame. There is no reason that this historical home should be in this condition. The city of Macedonia should have performed routine maintenence and updates as needed throughout the years. Why wasn't this property and home used for meetings, weddings, receptions, etc? Look at Stan Hywet Hall. The mayor and city council as well as the local historicans should be ashamed. Where is the money? What is the mayor waiting for, someone to come out and save the day? He should hang is head in shame. How embarrassing for the city of Macedonia. Joyce Anderson I applaud you!

[MrX]

a investigation of the true facts indicates that LongWood Manor was actually named for and the residence of the late John Holmes.

[Joyce Anderson]

Good News:
Macedonia Council President David Engle has agreed to meet w/me (me, representing the Macedonia Historical group and the Citizens of Macedonia and surrounding communities) w/in the next week to discuss options to resolve this problem, to possibly saving the Longwood Manor from being demolished!

I'm asking everyone to say a prayer and/or send an angel to be w/us for a positive outcome of this first meeting and others to follow, please!

[Ghost]

I loved the ghost hunts there. Pretty neat

[Joyce Anderson]

Karen wrote:

Absolutely no excuse for the condition of the home and grounds. Over 290 aces! A shame. There is no reason that this historical home should be in this condition. The city of Macedonia should have performed routine maintenence and updates as needed throughout the years. Why wasn't this property and home used for meetings, weddings, receptions, etc? Look at Stan Hywet Hall. The mayor and city council as well as the local historicans should be ashamed. Where is the money? What is the mayor waiting for, someone to come out and save the day? He should hang is head in shame. How embarrassing for the city of Macedonia. Joyce Anderson I applaud you!

Thank you, but none of my information, specific legal issues regarding building (specifically State historical and 'current' State required municipal)codes and contracts (their lease w/the City) and/or research of available restoration grants would of been possible w/o the assistance of the Kathy, President of the Historical Society group and it's members.

Therefore, I pass on your positive comment to the Historical Society group and it's members!

In a twist of fate, Kathy and I met on-line right here on Ohio.com some time ago when I responded to Kathy's request for help to save the Manor!