BOARDMAN — A former Chemical Bank branch on the township’s north end will be torn down to make way for what might be some sort of retail development, but officials assembling the deal aren’t ready just yet to say who will occupy the property.

“We would love to announce the development tenant; however, there is some finalization of the lease arrangement … so (for) the public, we’re going to tell you what’s next for the property, but we will not be announcing who the future tenants will be,” said Anthony Trevena, Western Reserve Port Authority economic development director.

The little more than 1-acre parcel at the corner of Midlothian Boulevard and Market Street — the northern border of Boardman and the southern border of Youngstown — was acquired by the port authority for $1 in January with plans to redevelop the land.

A $30,000 grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency paid for plan development to rid the structure of asbestos and then tear it down. Demolition could begin as soon as next month.

On Wednesday, the port authority moved on letting its Executive Director John Moliterno negotiate financing for the land, 3900 Market St., and also OK’d $108,100 in contracts for abatement and demolition.

Winning the abatement contract was Environmental Protection Systems LLC of Girard for $26,100, and winning the demolition contract was ProQuality Land Development of Campbell for $82,000.

Both companies were among four that sought the work.

The first project is asbestos abatment.

“The first project is asbestos abatement. There is a lot of small quantities of wrap, tile, glue, some wall components … that needs to be abated first,” said Randy Partika, the port authority’s project manager and development engineer. “That will start after Chemical Bank moves out, I believe Sept. 14, and that will take a couple of weeks to complete.”

The demolition contract also includes a rough grade of the site. Pavement removal would be the responsibility of the new tenant, Partika said.

Krista Beniston, director of zoning and development for Boardman, who attended Wednesday’s meeting remotely, said, “It really is a critical kind of node for the city, for the township, and it’s going to be a great project to spur further economic development in that part of Boardman for us.”

Chemical Bank recently merged into Detroit-based TCF National Bank, which plans to move into a building nearby the old branch that was formerly occupied by PNC Bank of Pittsburgh.

rselak@tribtoday.com