It took an hour and fifteen minutes of discussion, but eventually Galion City Council chose to support Uptowne revitalization by approving moving forward with the next phase of the Big Four Depot project.
The Depot is owned by the City of Galion and has received funding in various amounts over the last several years. This investment was noted in the conversation leading to a unanimous vote.
Ordinance 2024-97, being considered on its Third Reading, included the following sections:
Section 1: That the Safety-Service Director of the City of Galion, Ohio be, and hereby is authorized to advertise for bids and to enter into a contract with the lowest and best bidder therefore, as provided by law, for Big Four Depot Renovations Phase II Project.
Section 2: That the Auditor of the City of Galion, Ohio be and is hereby is, authorized to expend such sums as necessary to pay for said Project, not to exceed the total sum of Two Million Five Hundred Thousand and no/100 Dollars ($2,500,000.00) plus up to 20% over this amount, to be paid with funds appropriated in the General Fund (101), Freese Fund (405) State Capital Bill Fund (416), and the Permanent Improvement Fund (401).
Council Members Voice Support and Concerns
The discussion over the ordinance brought a mix of strong support and practical concerns from council members. One member emphasized the importance of ensuring the depot remains a functional community hub, rather than simply a restored structure.
“It’s a beautiful building, and I’d hate for us to lose the money available today. My concerns are whether we have enough funding set aside for repairs, maintenance, and janitorial work once the project is completed,” the Council member shared. “This depot should belong to the entire community, a place where children laugh, historical programs take place, and gatherings happen.”
The member also noted the potential consequences of not moving forward, stating that the city had already invested millions, and delaying further could result in lost funding.
Another Council member responded, reassuring that a business plan is in place, which helped secure funding from JobsOhio.
“Any business plan will need adjustments, but this one has been scrutinized and approved by JobsOhio,” Young explained. “People have worked for years on this project. They are the community—the ones who have volunteered their time to clean and support it. This plan provides an opportunity to raise funds through rentals and other revenue sources, ensuring financial sustainability.”
She acknowledged the risks but stressed that the council had to “have a little faith” in the process.
Several comments were made about not having all questions answered, however it was pointed out that the matter had been under consideration for several weeks and ample opportunity has been afforded to have questions answered.
Financial Sustainability and Grant Deadlines Raise Questions
Concerns over long-term funding and project completion deadlines were also part of the discussion. Several members questioned whether the city could cover any potential funding gaps if anticipated grant money fell short.
“We’ve had multiple grant extensions and a deadline to finish by June of this year,” one council member noted. “Even if it passes tonight, I don’t know if it can be done in time. What happens if funding falls short? Will the city have to cover the gap?”
Officials reassured the council that the SCAT grant funds will be spent before the deadline, avoiding any risk of loss. They also pointed out that ODOT typically does not revoke grant money due to minor delays.
Another point raised was the importance of clear communication with state funding agencies, particularly regarding the timeline.
“The partnership has been working on this for years, and I would appreciate being notified if concerns are raised. It would allow us to address them more directly,” said one council member.
What Comes Next for the Big Four Depot?
The passage of the ordinance does not finalize the renovations but allows the city to move forward with seeking bids. Once bids are received, further discussion will take place to determine final funding allocations.
“This is just the bidding phase,” clarified a council member. “Even after bids come in, we will have more conversations before approving any additional appropriations.”
As discussions wrapped up, Council President Webber called for a vote.
Ordinance 2024-97 Passes Unanimously
After extensive debate, the ordinance passed with a unanimous vote:
✅ Mrs. Kemp-Mercurio — Yes
✅ Mr. Richart — Yes
✅ Miss Yunker — Yes
✅ Mrs. George — Yes
✅ Mr. Bodkins — Yes
✅ Mr. Palmer — Yes
With this decision, Galion moves closer to restoring a landmark that has been a focal point of local history for generations. The next steps will include finalizing bids and ensuring a financial plan is in place to sustain the depot for the future.