Litchfield hires architect for construction and bidding documents for remodeling former church to administration building

LITCHFIELD TWP. — Litchfield Township took the first step into possibly turning the former Litchfield United Church of Christ into an administration building. The Litchfield Township Board of Trustees voted to hire Mayer Architectural Group at a cost of up to $5,000 to create construction and bidding documents to remodel the church into administration offices for the trustees, fiscal officer and zoning inspector. "I would like to just actually put it out to bid and see some real numbers to see what we're really looking at," trustee Mike Pope said. In August, the trustees accepted the donation of the church building to the township. Chairman Dennis Horvath said he stands by his decision to accept the donation but is rethinking it because the building needs repairs like a new roof, which is expensive for a building that would only house offices. "Personally now, after this time to evaluate it and going through there many times, listening to what the repairs we're going to need, meeting with the building inspector and everything else, I think we're going to be taking hard-earned money, tax dollars and throwing it against a 150-year-old building," he said. Horvath suggested the township add a few offices to the fire station instead of remodeling the church, but Vice Chair Joe Seifert said that may not be a cheaper option. The former church is at 3928 Avon Lake Road, which is adjacent to other township buildings. Seifert said if the township were to get rid of the building, they would lose control of what occupies that land, which is in the center of town. "It's a blessing to be given that building in that location," he said. "If we can remodel that for a couple hundred grand, I don't see why we wouldn't." Horvath said the results of the bidding process may change his mind. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.