Medina Eyes New Buyers for City Lot

The city of Medina plans to open up a 410‑East Smith Road lot for public bids, according to the finance committee. The property was bought in 2012 and has been used mainly for storing city sanitation supplies, though a fire once damaged some buildings. The site sits behind the Sweets and Geeks shop and is split by Champion Creek, railroad tracks, and a power substation. These features make it hard to develop.In the past, groups like the Medina Metropolitan Housing Authority and Habitat for Humanity submitted plans for houses there, but strict restrictions stopped them. Now a non‑residential buyer has shown interest, prompting the city to prepare a bid package similar to one used for another local sale. The lowest acceptable offer is set at $355, 000, based on an older appraisal. Two easements will also be added: one for city access to maintain the creek and another for a storm sewer. Councilor Bill Lamb worries that the city’s 2022 comprehensive plan marked the parcel for residential use. He notes a shortage of land for affordable housing and urges yearly reviews of the plan. Council President John Coyne agrees that keeping the lot idle is costly and supports exploring development, even if it means changing the plan’s focus.