Stop-work order remains at site of window accident

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — After a window fell a dozen floors and shattered on East Federal Street, the city wants to ensure that the owner of the historic Stambaugh Building makes it safe.

Brenda Williams, city plans examiner and building official, said a stop-work order that was issued last week will remain in effect until a plan to make the building safe and weather-tight is submitted and approved.

The 13-story building at 44 E. Federal St. is owned by Platia Square, aka the Frangos Group.

Reached in Cleveland, Dee Semethy, executive assistant to Lou Frangos, said he was out of state but explained that everything is being done to comply with city rules.

The Stambaugh Building (constructed of concrete, brick and terra cotta) has been in the National Register of Historic Places since 1980. The register shows it was built in 1913, though Mahoning County records show 1906.

At least 100 windows are missing from the downtown building, according to Laura Fulmer, housing code enforcement officer. Two employees of the Frangos group told her last Thursday — the day the window hit the street — that the structure’s windows are in disrepair and being removed for safety reasons, with the openings to be boarded up or covered with plastic.

Williams said no injuries were reported from the falling glass, but a portion of East Federal Street remains closed and other safety precautions are in place.

Williams, who was at the site last week with Fulmer, said she has since learned that numerous windows have fallen out due to wind. She said no building permit was obtained before the window removal work.

An architect for Frangos, she said, was expected to submit a plan for a building permit, likely on Wednesday. The plan must comply with building codes, property maintenance and design review, she said.

Semethy said the plan would be ready in time for a meeting with city officials this week.

Williams met with the mayor and others Monday to discuss how to proceed to ensure the soundness of the building short and long term. She also spoke with the Ohio Historic Preservation Office on Monday, which will take no action but rely on the city’s property codes.

The preservation office intervenes only if state or federal money is being used for changes or demolition, said Frank Rulli of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society.

As a result of the window crash, Jeff A. Hamm, Frangos Group regional operations manager, was issued a municipal court citation that charges failure to maintain a structure in good repair so as to not pose a threat to public health, safety or welfare. Hamm, 34, of Austintown, will appear in Judge Robert P. Milich’s housing court June 20.

Williams, meanwhile, said Frangos has followed the proper channels in other work, such as interior demolition at 47 East Federal, for which he obtained a building permit.

Phil Kidd, downtown director of events and special projects, said it will be a “real challenge” to reconfigure where to have parties on the plaza, which have been held in front of the Stambaugh Building near the Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant. He said the parties will likely be held in the central square area until they can be moved back to their original location.