City Negotiates to Lease Property

The city of Zanesville moves forward in hopes of leasing a Fairview Road property.

The city purchased the property at 1674 Fairview Road years ago for $665,000. The plan was to use it as a new Northpointe Fire Department, but that never happened, and the property has largely sat vacant for years now. A few weeks ago, the city received a bid from Columbia Gas to lease the property.

“Their broker has submitted a proposal for a ten year lease on the property with two options to renew,” said Public Services Director Jay Bennett.

The proposal is for $6,000 a month, but the Zanesville Community Improvement Corporation created a four person committee to make a counter offer. Bennett, believes the negotiations won’t last long.

“I really see this thing concluding soon and there will be a tenant out using city property that’s kind of been sitting vacant, not generating revenue and bringing that money back into the fire department,” said Bennett.

Fire department funds were used to purchase the property. Bennett said that’s why the rental fee will be deposited back into the fire department’s fund.