A subcommittee was formed during Monday evening’s special meeting of the public safety committee regarding the 600 block of Main Street in Downtown Zanesville. 

Council person Joey Osborn was tasked to work with Community Development Director Bill Arnett and Law Director David Tarbert as they investigate legal ways for the City to potentially use the Zanesville Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) to grant or gift money to the new owner of two parcels on the block, Nate Embrey. 

Embrey’s company, ZDT Redux, purchased the crumbling and condemned 606 and 608 Main St. parcels for $11 during an auditor’s sale earlier this month.

Two weeks ago, Embrey met with council members for the first time to share his plans for the properties. 

He returned Monday to give an update on his progress, which included gaining access to the buildings, cleaning debris, consulting with professionals and beginning the reinforcement process.  

“We’re trying to put the pieces in place,” said Embrey. 

Council members on the public safety committee expressed their pleasure seeing steps being taken to revitalize the decaying buildings. 

“I’m excited about the prospect that we’re actually going to do something,” said Osborn. 

One concern the committee communicated to Embrey during the last meeting was obtaining insurance for the buildings. 

When Steven Foreman addressed the matter Monday, Embrey said he is in the process of getting quotes and is still searching for a more affordable option, but one does exist at this time. 

City administration still had several concerns regarding the buildings. 

From a legal standpoint, Tarbert said he is still unsure if it’s possible for the CIC to give money to Embrey’s company, even if the board decided it was in their best interest to do so. 

Tarbert said he’d like to find a law that shows how other cities have legally gone about distributing money to a private entity, “not just, hey, we did it, got away with it kind of things.”

Tim Smith of Zanesville’s building and code enforcement office reminded the committee and Embrey of the Oct. 1 deadline set for the building to be reinforced before they are demolished. 

“We may offer up a short term extension,” said Smith, who added more concrete plans need to be presented before that decision is made. “I’m not really hearing what I need to hear from a structural standpoint.”

Council President Dan Vincent asked Smith to work with Embrey and provide guidance on not just what needs done, but how to go about it. 

“I think it would be foolish at this point to stop progress,” said Vincent. 

Public Safety Director Keane Toney also stood by Embrey, thanking him for taking on the project and assuring him he’d have help from the City. 

“We’ll work with you. We will,” said Toney. “I appreciate your work.”