The Bellefontaine City Council met in regular session Tuesday night and approved the first reading of an ordinance that would clear the way for the armory building on South Main Street to be sold to the Wawa Corporation. The ordinance, if adopted, would allow the Service-Safety Director and the Mayor to sell the property to the convenience store chain based in Wawa, PA.
According to Council Finance Committee Chairman Kyle Springs, the asking price of $550,000 includes Wawa absorbing demolition and removal of the current building and abatements.
In his report, Mayor David Crissman told the council that the Memorial Day parade currently has only 13 entries. He urged the council to reach out to prospective participants and have them sign up to be in the parade to honor fallen soldiers.
Service-Safety Director Wes Dodds thanked the over 60 volunteers who participated in the recent Downtown Clean-up project. He also urged the council members to visit Harmon Park and see the improvements being made there.
Law Director Josh Stolly advised the council that he is currently reviewing the State of Ohio definitions of golf carts and E-bikes, as there has been interest in allowing the vehicles to operate on city streets. Before the council could consider ordinances allowing the vehicles, Stolly is checking that the definitions match up.
Police Chief Chris Marlow reminded the council that there will be a ceremony at the Law Enforcement Memorial at Brown Park at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 9, to kick off National Police Week, observed from May 10-16, 2026. Chief Marlow talks about the ceremony and parade:
Logan County Chamber of Commerce President Ben Vollrath informed the council that Majestic Plastics has announced plans to move to the former AccuSport Building. The move will allow the company to hire additional employees as they settle into the 100,000-square-foot building.
Several ordinances were given various readings:
Ordinances for First Reading:
- 26-20: An ordinance authorizing the Service-Safety Director and Mayor, on behalf of the City of Bellefontaine, to sell that certain city-owned real estate known as the Armory pursuant to Section 721.28 of the Revised Code. Motion to pass on first reading only. Council members Wes Easton and Mick Lyle voted no. Motion carried.
NOTE: When asked about his vote on the ordinance, Councilmember Wes Easton said he believes the city should enlist an independent appraiser to inspect the armory property before the sale.
- 26-21: An ordinance making supplemental appropriations and amending the Permanent Appropriations Ordinance for purposes of revolving loan housing incidentals and West TIF construction. Motion to pass on first reading only carried.
Ordinances for Second Reading:
- 26-15: An ordinance making Supplemental Appropriations and amending the Permanent Appropriations Ordinance for purposes of Capital Equipment-Recreation Improvement. Motion to pass on second reading only carried.
- 26-17: An ordinance authorizing the Service-Safety Director to seek proposals and/or advertise for bids and enter into a contract with the selected contractor and/or bidders for the 2026 Citywide Street Resurfacing Project 2026-01R. Motion to pass on second reading only carried.
- 26-18: An ordinance authorizing the Service-Safety Director to advertise for bids and enter into a contract for the 2026 Street Painting & Striping Project 2026-2R in the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio. Motion to pass on second reading only carried,
Ordinances for Third Reading
- 26-13 – An ordinance authorizing and granting to Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio, Inc., its successors and assigns, a gas franchise in the City of Bellefontaine, State of Ohio, for a period of twenty-five (25) years, automatically renewing for additional periods of five (5) years. Ordinance adopted.
- 26-14 – An ordinance vacating a portion of that certain North-South public alley between lots 2781-2786 on the west and lots 2792-2796 and that certain 0.173-acre tract owned by Logan County Metropolitan Housing Authority on the east in the City of Bellefontaine, Lake Township, Logan County, Ohio. Ordinance adopted.
