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Ashland Mayor Matt Miller discusses a purchase agreement with Columbus-based developer Moment Development to build a boutique hotel at the Pump House office building.

Ashland Mayor Matt Miller discusses a purchase agreement with Columbus-based developer Moment Development to build a boutique hotel at the Pump House office building.

Ashland City Council members wished the Ashland University women’s basketball team good luck in its game against Glenville State on Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. in the NCAA Division II Final Four tournament. The game can be livestreamed at this link.

ASHLAND -- In addition to new apartments from Vision Development, the City of Ashland will soon have 70 boutique hotel rooms in the Pump House office building.

Ashland City Council approved a purchase agreement with Columbus-based developer Moment Development at its meeting Tuesday night.

Moment Development offered to buy the property for $400,000, which is more than what the city purchased it for in October.

“Once complete, it would be the premiere hotel in Ashland, Ohio,” Mayor Matt Miller said. "This group incidentally is also part of the group that brought the Hampton to the City of Ashland.”

Moment Development is also working on hotel and restaurant developments in Ontario.

Miller said Moment Development’s purchase agreement is contingent upon Vision Development moving forward with its apartment developments.

“Both parties are very excited,” Miller said. “They believe in the vision of the Pump House district and are excited to be a part of it.”

The city also plans to invest in sidewalks and beautification projects to connect the Pump House district to downtown Ashland. Miller said he hopes these developments will attract more business investments in the form of coffee shops, gift shops or restaurants.

City Council also approved a lower pavilion roof project in Brookside Park.

Miller said Brookside’s picnic pavilions are some of the most frequently booked amenities at the park.

“They’re in need of repair, especially the roofs,” he said. “We’ve known for some time they needed these repairs, but we’re finally ready to do so.”

Miller said Moore Building Management, based in Wooster, proposed a $37,000 contract to implement steel roofs on three park pavilions.

“These are pretty much rented nonstop throughout the summer months,” Miller said. “People are already coming in and booking them, so we think it's important that we make them look good.”

Moore Building Management was also contracted to build the Brookside Golf Course’s clubhouse deck in December.

Miller also updated council members on Schine’s Theatre restoration progress. He said the theater is set to open in May with a “blockbuster hit” lined up for the first film shown since 2010.

City Council approved an emergency repair by Simonson Construction Services on the Center Street parking lot retaining wall. Council appropriated $160,000 for the project, with Miller saying he hopes it will cost less.

Also in Tuesday’s meeting:

-- City Council adjusted its estimated bid for the municipal elevator repair project. With support from a $150,000 grant from the Community Development Block Grant, council voted to advertise bids again for the project at $300,000.

-- City Council approved Evoqua/Permutit repair plans on one of the city’s water softeners. Repairs will cost about $200,000 for the softener to run about 20 more years before it needs to be replaced.

-- Miller said City Council will likely have to consider increasing the Ashland’s trash rates to keep up with recent Rumpke service cost hikes.

-- Finance Director Larry Paxton said any residents who needs help with municipal taxes can go online before April 18.

-- Council members voted to transfer $15,000 from the city’s vehicle interlock alcohol monitoring fund to the indigent drivers alcohol treatment fund. This transfer aims to help relieve costs of rehabilitation treatment and support local agencies.

-- Ward 4 Councilwoman Angela Woodward announced spring cleanup is scheduled to start April 3 in the City of Ashland. Yard waste pickup isn’t scheduled to start until May, but residents may call the Sanitation Department at 419-289-9791 to make arrangements ahead of time.

-- Miller said the Kroc Center’s outdoor spray park should be rebuilt by this summer with funding from the Norma Foundation and Bob and Jan Archer. The indoor waterpark at the Kroc Center was built at the site of the old spray park.

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