I have spent nearly 5 years and 80 percent of the research, the connections the questions will be found here in these links to make it easier ,chapters of shame,in my mind.
AND NO-ONE DID ANYTHING. just spent millions on reports all there, the players the history oh and those time lines are so telling and those environmental reports.
I spent all these months documenting , trying to point out that this is an unhealthy toxic block. No-one felt any urgency, no investigations. But it is now here in the world wide web the whole sordid ( to my mind story) .
The residents, the contractors , the workers , the neighborhood, the safety forces and another neighborhood possibly .. so should the future bring the illnesses I think this will they can use the documents the way it evolved for redress.
Readers can pick and choose which posts most interest them, but I would suggest it took nearly 5 years of my writing it may take half as long for you to read everything with comprehension.
NO AI used here 🙂 as I am sure the typos might confirm. I am done now.. I can’t get Media, Politicians, City Of Lorain Council etc. state and federal agencies to demand an investigation……so I am at last finished ….my sorry tale. However you have my permission to share the story of the sins against St. Joes.
Should I be mistaken in any conclusions ,thoughts based upon what evidence and documentation I have uploaded, please contact me. Verify my mistake and I will apologize and give the complainant rebuttal space. ( with documentation proving me incorrect)
I just couldn’t believe a whole city block was taken down “illegally”, as they all agreed, media the politicians etc. and yet nothing happened to any of the “boys from out of state”!
The time lines mention showed this City Administration KNEW from before it even came down ( all in the previous posts). Why hadn’t anyone in the City Administration been held accountable.
This behind the scenes scenario is very telling as to lacking in ethical behaviours to my way of thinking. This was more than Political Posturing, this disgrace and blot on the street scape is dangerous and has been for nearly 5 YEARS
2022
Photo Chronicle Telegram ,Elyria
Finally I reached out again to the EPA .. I knew there had to be some protocols that had to be followed .see the Pardee report as to what happens before a demolition happens ,let alone one of old disintegrating hospital and all that it carries within it
EPA OHIO
Dear Loraine,
Good afternoon. Thank you for your email concerning the former St. Joseph’s Hospital. Ohio EPA is aware of the site and will be working with the responsible parties to ensure that any demolition and/or cleanup activities are performed in accordance with Ohio’s environmental regulations, which means the proper handling, packaging, transportation, and disposal of the demolition debris and waste.
Demolishing a building involves coordination with multiple organizations and agencies. The Ohio Department of Commerce has a demolition application that outlines the state’s basic requirements on the first page, and local governments like the City of Lorain may have additional rules.
Building demolition shall comply with provisions for pedestrian protection, adjoining property protection, vacant lot conditions, water accumulation, and utility disconnections in accordance with Ohio building Code Section 3303. The Ohio EPA Division of Air Pollution must be notified even if no asbestos or other hazardous materials are present. Contact Ohio EPA at 614-644-2270. Notification forms can be obtained at http://www.epa.ohio.gov. The Ohio Department of Health must be notified if more than 50 lineal feet of 50 square feet of asbestos is present. Contact the Ohio Department of Health at 614-466-0016. Notification of abatement forms can be obtained at http://www.odh.ohio.gov. Always contact the local Fire Department prior to demolition. You may search for local fire departments on-line at http://www.comapps.ohio.gov/sfm/fire_apps/fmpr/FDLookup/
Developers or demolition contractors are responsible for contacting Ohio EPA, especially if hazardous materials like asbestos are present. The agency has an Asbestos Notification Requirements fact sheet that outlines what’s needed before demolition begins.
Before any debris leaves the site, demolition waste must be inspected (or “characterized”) to be disposed of properly. If hazardous waste is found, it must be safely packaged and comply with Ohio’s hazardous waste management standards. The agency may inspect for compliance; failure to follow protocols can lead to fines. City building inspectors focus on local codes but may require proof that Ohio EPA rules are being followed. Construction and demolition debris (C&DD) landfills are commonly used for disposal.
Property owners can use Ohio EPA’s Voluntary Action Program (VAP) to investigate and clean up the site if contamination is suspected. A completed VAP can result in a “No Further Action” letter from the EPA, which may be needed before redevelopment.
minimum, shall include the following: 1. Site details: Construction documents shall show the location of the building to be demolished, location of adjacent buildings and their means of egress, details of pedestrian protection/barriers, as well as dimensions to the interior property lines and/or streets. Fire department access shall be maintained as per the local fire official. 2. Building details: The plans shall indicate the extent of the removal of the building footing/foundations, specifications on back-fill materials, ground elevations/topography after completion, means of preventing water accumulation, adjacent property protection, utility capping/disconnection information, etc. 3. Building Service/Fire Protection details: The plans shall indicate locations of portable fire extinguishers, maintaining required means of egress in the building during demolition. Bureau of Building Code Compliance 6606 Tussing Road
614-644-262
Oh Great a starting point at the Lorain Fire Dept I was informed should be heavily involved in this demolition may they had the records I so badly needed as to the demolition, the plans and the disposal of the toxic waster because there are there for all the world to see. Not just Vertical Buildings no ground disturbance as per the City of Lorain Kate Golden ( see post)
From: Loraine Ritchey <lritch7@yahoo.com> Sent: Friday, May 30, 2025 5:56 PM To: Radman, Chris <chris_radman@cityoflorain.org>; Walsh, Janice <Janice_Walsh@cityoflorain.org>
Subject: Public Records Request St.Joes Demolition Debris etc
BY way of explanation I have sent the email I just sent, see below. However since I am now directed you your Dept LFD I have attached the original Public Records Request, that you should have been made aware of : I would appreciate a very timely answer since I have waited weeks already. Please read carefully the Fire Department obligations under the EPA guidelines Contact me if there are any questions ..If you have no paperwork that covers any of the protocols that should have been in place I will assume none of them were done and would like confirmation as to that fact.
AND this was Fire Chief Chris Radman’s reply
On Monday, June 2, 2025 at 01:25:15 PM EDT, Radman, Chris <chris_radman@cityoflorain.org> wrote:
The fire department was not involved with this demolition. We primarily deal with demolition when a fire occurs. There is not a report at the fire station besides a reported natural gas leak in December 9, 2020. The reports reads that P-1 investigated and met with Columbia Gas . It was
confirmed that the gas had already been turned off.
Christopher Radman Fire Chief
And there you have it n”NO INVOLVEMENT”from our Fire Dept , nothing about the disposal of the debris, where it was dumped, who dumped it, not checked by anyone as to the toxicity of the debris
I reached out to the various accredited dump sites for toxic waste within Lorain County and surrounding counties.. None had received anything (and it would have had to have been documented. So where did they dumped he tuck loads of debris and where did they take the scrap metal? It doesn’t bear thinking about ,what is now happening in a another community.. should this be investigated SOMEONE KNOWS
I still couldn’t credit the fact that no-one followed through with anything, not the street dept ( who were mentioned in Golden’s email when things went wrong, not the Police Dept Auxillary ( who had to direct the traffic) NOT ONE DEPARTMENT HEAD or city worker said ”
wait something is not right here, no-one apart from Mrs Springowski questioned what was happening, no hard questions from local media .
Well after all this time it is my opinion and contention, they didn’t want to make waves for some reason.
Rey Carrion obviously knew the protocols after being in Community Development and let us face it the City of Lorain under his old boss Chase Ritenauer took down the front of St. Joes following all the guidelines and the EPA with no issues in 2015,,,,and was copied on my emails so he must have known that it was stinking to high heaven , and not just the toxic waste.
Who in the Jack Bradley’s Administration had the power to censor the lack of follow through or the protocols required by the EPA. Well who ever is to blame and I have put it square on the shoulders of Jack Bradley has cost the American Tax Payer Millions… and I am guesing at least 20 to remediate his whole debacle what with studies etc.
Are we in a third world country now in this city, where people can come in not checked on the word of who Max Upton who introduced A7 to this City and no-one questioned their documents or lack thereof WHY NOT JACK BRADLEY YOU ARE THE LEADER IN ALL THIS DEBACLE ?
NOW THE QUESTION BEGS TO BE ANSWERED SINCE BRADLEY’S MAN UPTON INTRODUCED LORAIN TO A7… WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT A7? did they even do a cursory check as I did …
SOLD TO A7 Development Group LLC (with outstanding taxes, and utilities)
A7 Development Corp LLC by March 2020 had been in business for a little over 2 years and has one principle Salvatore Tecce A7 Development Company File No. 001 348859
SALVATORE TECCE (who is the company’s only principle. He is the agent, president, vice president, director, treasurer and secretary
Salvatore Tecce is also one of the two “principles for the demolition company hired by A7 Development (Group) Corp–“Earth Exchange”And please note the date of their registration.
EARTH EXCHANGE INC. has been set up 2/16/2021 in state MA. The current status of the business is Active. The EARTH EXCHANGE INC. principal address is 800 TURNPIKE ST STE 300, N ANDOVER, 01845. Meanwhile you can send your letters to 800 TURNPIKE ST STE 300, N ANDOVER, MA, 01845. The company`s registered agent is LEGALINC CORPORATE SERVICES INC. 5237 SUMMERLIN COMMONS STE 400, FT MYERS, FL, 33907. The company`s management are Director, Vice President – Tecce Salvatore, President, Secretary – Youkstetter Karl.
We know from various sources, media etc. EARTH EXCHANGE started taking down the building in JANUARY of 2021
WelL apparently Upton either didn’t know or check any further than the “yes we are interested” because he found out to his regret ( I hope he regretted the lack of information…… he has left but his boss looks bad, to me at least . In a memo when the tip tipped he states : Note related entities this is the glowing group of umbrella companies that are all the same …….
The whole letter AFTER THE FACT!!!!!!!!!
AND NOW A REMINDER OF WHAT HAS GONE BEFORE AND i AM FINISHED……. i WILL SEND OUT THE WHOLE SERIES TO THOSE I THINK SHOULD GET OFF THEIR POLITICAL DUFFS AND MEDIA AND AGENCIES NEARLY FIVE YEARS AND ……
the reminders of not checking the who they were dealing with and before……
We now come to the 21st Century and the continuing saga of monies spent and some familiar names of today
2000 – That year we KNOW that now County Commissioner Jeff Riddell just happened to be the ‘PRESIDENT OF THE NON -PROFIT – SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORTATION – Jeff Riddell was very good and the deals as documented on this blog November 2023
How do we know ?
Well when Jeff Riddell was President of South Shore Community Development Corp. he signed documents, this one in particular giving Community Health Partners , The combination of St. Joesphs Hospital and Lorain Community Hospital … easement across the South Shore Community Developemnt “property” for the ‘PARKING GARAGE ” which was then owned by Community Health Partners ( soon to become Mercy)
We will come back to this situation later on. and some familiar names
Fast Forward : a few years and the money has dried up and according to Mr. Cordes ( Board of South Shore Development ) in March of 2009 and my That Woman Blog
2009
“Hopefully, we’ll find some solutions before things come to the critical mass point,”
Interesting enough two of the comments from that post :
Renee Dore , Historian and Co Chair Of Charleston Village Society
RE: that Spring THAT LIES BENEATH
“The elevator (lobby) in the Drs. office building across the street still has the sulphur odor of the spring- there used to be a sign posted as to what the source of the odor. “
In that post of getting real… broken links but some of the time line:
March of 2009 the article in the Morning Journal St. Joseph center in crisis: Lack of tenants, operating capital could cause eventual closure http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2009/03/14/news/mj750123.txt
had the then President of the South Shore Development Board ( In 1997 St. Joseph Community Center was created by the South Shore Development CDC ) – Jim Cordes ( Lorain County Administrator) as stating:
The center is running out of cash and faces about a $300,000 deficit this year, he said.
SEPTEMBER 2010
Between those two statements a lot of “planning, bells and whistles, handshaking and patting on the back has happened . NOTE some links no longer work but they are there as proof and can be accessed through Library Files
The agreement also calls for the current South Shore board, which has been largely defunct since the city took control of St. Joe’s at the beginning of the year, to be replaced with a new ninemember board. Five of the board’s members will be handpicked by IRG, which gives the company a controlling number of seats. Three members will be selected by the city. The county commissioners will pick the final board member.
“Definitely good news,” said Mayor Tony Krasienko. “Obviously, we’ve put a lot of time and resources into making sure the St. Joseph Community Center is a success.
However, there was concern from some on Lorain City Council as to the “way forward” and in July 18 2011 an update on the situation at St. Joe’s was requested. You can find the minutes of that meeting in the following PDF file council meeting minutes
note CLICK ON those council minutes link . Questions were asked BUT ..the political and legal speak won out….
Interesting because in 2012 as the above link shows – South Shore supposedly had a lot going for it
We had the Valor Homes , Veterans Affairs , Outpatients Clinic , Branch of Lorain County Community College , Title Office, Lorain Sports Hall of Fame, Senator Browns Office and Representative Suttons office , Child Day Care and Adult Day care ‘ AND BECAUSE OF THAT THE GOVERNMENT FORGAVE A LOT OF MONEY !!!!
So Lorain County for their part paid out $425,000.00 Resolution 12-677 ( are we adding any of this up yet? THIS WAS OCTOBER 2012
What nobody said in all these glowing reports that the building was lacking in maintenance , the roofs were leaking and those attending seminars etc in the auditorium were dodging raindrops!!!!!
There is a lot of toing and froing in that meeting , but what I am intersted in
Mid-2010 – City and County made a decision that the SSCDC Center should remain open.
September of 2010 – Development Agreement between City of Lorain, SSCDC, Ohio
Department of Development, County of Lorain, Mercy Health Partners, and Industrial Realty
Group.
September of 2010 – Ohio Realty Advisors was retained by SSCDC to manage the property.
January 2012 – Mercy Donation of adjacent property. IS THAT THE DAMNED FALLING DOWN PARKING GARAGE, IF SO WHO ACCEPTED THE DONATION FOR SOUTH SHORE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, and why would they take on more problems ???? ( these things need to be investigated!!!!!! The property was in dire straits even then…..
In 2010- 2011 under Mayor Krasienko questions were asked ….about that property
Daniel Given asked
At that time The Board and members of council discussed the “way forward” with positive pronunciations and in response to Mr. Given’s question in July 2011-
There are many questions with long – term stability of the building and group etc.What kind of cash reserves do we have on hand for repair and maintenance etc. What if the basement floods or sewer breaks etc.
THE RESPONSE:
Lee Berger: Financially I am happy to say we are projecting to be stable by the end of this year ( 2011) with the sale of the 5th floor. We have done a lot of work internally to get the operating costs down to something we can handle and obviously leasing the building is our way out. Our projections in 2012, which we are working on now, will start the year at zero and hope with new leasing that we will be in good shape in 2012 and forward.
Hipp also wrote that his company projected that St. Joe’s would be running deficits of $25,000 per month as 2012 got under way, and there was no plan in place to absorb those costs.
“From the onset South Shore was operating in a deficit with no long -term plan to fund shortfalls,” Hipp wrote.
How things seem to have changed in 5 months–
Did this whole project rely on one group purchasing the 5th floor and therefore injecting $300,000 cash plus build out into the project.
One of the loans that HUD officials flagged is a $250,000 loan made to South Shore Development Corp. in 2011 to help keep the struggling St. Joseph Community Center afloat. That loan was never repaid and eventually written off by Lorain Development Corp. State auditors have said that more than $600,000 worth of loans distributed by Lorain Development Corp. were written off over the years, but Mason said that his research indicates that figure might be slightly lower because of how some of the loans were structured.
The HUD review said that the money lent to South Shore was troubling because at the time of the loan, Robert Gilchrist was serving as both the city’s service director and president of the South Shore board.HUD called Gilchrist’s dual role “an apparent Conflict of Interest.”
Mr Gilchrist – he of the diversionary program – voting illegally , pleading guilty to drug charges
and alleged domestic abuse which cost him his job at as President of the Lorain County Community Action Agency was also in his Service Director position on the BOARD of CONTROL for the City of Lorain.
You know that BOC that is one of the checks and balances the taxpayers have. But hey we are OK because this Lorain Development Corporation is a separate entity – although contracted by the then Community Development Dept. ( see 2008 interview) and the money to fund it came from where ? Too many of the same names and relationships for my liking .
Early in 2009, South Shore announced its intention to close the St. Joe’s center because its income was outstripped by operating expenses, notably high utility costs. Lorain City Council in 2010 approved money to operate St. Joe’s while Krasienko’s administration looked for ways to keep it open. Lorain Service Director Robert Gilchrist was a key in brokering the deals needed to keep the center open and yesterday he made the city’s presentation to the Clean Ohio Council in Columbus.
Payback of the State Loan does not begin until profitable OR when SSCDC property is sold.
As a part of the development agreement a $250,000 Loan was provided to South Shore Community Development Corporation to cover operating shortfall.
Beginning on April 1, 2012 the first monthly payment of $1,488 is due.
The Loan is unsecured.
Grants:
HUD EDI Grant – $166,500. Grant funds were used to fund the LCCC expansion/extension and Little Lighthouse tenant improvement work.
HHS – $253,000. Grant funds were used to fund mechanical deferred maintenance to the then occupied areas and common systems.
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant – $480,000
City application for funds allowed for both a grant component and loan component for use at St. Joe’s totaling $480,000.
In 2011, when EECBG project scopes for St. Joe’s were being developed, use of funds for maintenance of existing systems was disallowed.
The Dep. Of Energy also determined that the combination of both a grant and loan could not be used at St. Joe’s; thus the funding became capped at approximately $200,000.
City and SSCDC now developing a revised scope to utilize the available EECBG funds for non-maintenance energy efficiency projects.
CORF
$1,600,000 Grant Awarded to the City of Lorain for SSCDC project.
Mercy match over 3 years- $120k per year for 3 years = $360k
Demolition includes Building D, Reidy Scanlon Bldg., Thrift Shop.
The City of Lorain is currently advertising for a certified professional.
Demolition anticipated to begin summer of 2012
and the rest of the story????????????????????????????? Who knows but I agree with Mayor Ritenauer .. to me this is all as clear as mud………… and just to help with information :
NOTE..FOR SOME PECULIAR REASON A LOT OF THIS INFORMATION IS “NOW”IN RECENT MONTHS DISAPPEARED AND THE LINKS ARE BROKEN…….SINCE IT WAS A CITY ISSUE ANOTHER BURIAL PERHAPS. THE LINKS ARE BROKEN IN THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE I WROTE BUT THE EXPLANATION OF WHAT HAPPEND IS THERE ….. https://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2018/03/01/game-of-loans-clear-as-mud-cdbg-funds-lorain/
Jack Bradley’s Legacy A tale of Woe, Waffling, and Wonder of Political Wheeling and Dealing
This is NOT work of fiction, no fairy tale , no act of Mother Nature, this was and is in my considered opinion having had to digest the facts for the past 5 years and before !!!!!absolutely needs an investigation
In the beginning there was a spa
TRUTH IS THE DAUGHTER OF TIME
A tale that started in the last century lies forlorn lost and crying out for truth. Truth in politics , in this case even truth is buried like rubble in a basement .
And so it begins…. Jack Bradley’s Legacy as we reach the 4th Anniversary of Destruction!
A Tawdry Tale at best and a reminder of how this came to be. The series will be forthcoming on this page and finally on Oh Her Again, in its entirety. Are you sitting comfortably?
TRUTH IS THE DAUGHTER OF TIME
A tale that started in the last century lies forlorn lost and crying out for truth. Truth in politics , in this case even truth is buried like rubble in a basement .
The Beginning: Lorain in Retrospect- JJ Meyers
“Central Lorain became the mecca for real estate operators, led by Mr. Hogan and Wm. A Braman of Elyria….they acquired the area upon which
“was erected a large three story frame building designed as a sanitarium, in which with the liberal internal and external application of certain water oozing from a nearby spring, a cure for numberless ailments was proclaimed by the promoters.
From Lizzie’s Guide to Lorain Note: this was part of the Black River Historical Society who are now Lorain Historical Society and no longer have that link available …..
The house was called the “Devonian Baths” and was built in 1887 over sulpher springs discovered by accident by Gilbert Hogan, who had been drilling for natural gas. This is one of the early pictures of the hospital.
During the money stringency in the early nineties (1890’s) a far sighted individual in the person of Father Bihn rector of a Catholic Orphan Asylum at Tiffin. Father Joseph L. Bihn along with Sister M. Ludmilla Schmidt and Sister M. Antonia Adams founded St. Joseph Hospital in a Lorain house in 1892 for children who required immediate medical care and who could not make the long trip to Cleveland, where the nearest hospital was located.
The hospital grew , as did Lorain, and through it all people died, were made well , were born and money flowed just like the Devonshire Springs that remained buried underneath as the edifice grew.
In 1916 a new hospital was constructed to meet the growing population .In 1950 a larger, modern facility was constructed directly behind and attached to the older building Sadly, the original 1916 building was demolished in October 2015 due to among other things its unsafe condition. Since 1997 the hospital building was used for several different businesses, including a hospice center, nursing college, county & state offices and a VA center, but it would never serve the community as a hospital again.
Those same old springs were still bubbling away ( NOBODY ever checked , as far as I can tell) in fact they were all but forgotten apart from the smell in basements located in the area and historians. ,as the old and new hospital stood proudly above them , gurgling and gushing presumably finding their way to the lake.
But “the witches brew of political speak” comes back to haunt all those decades later ( artist not found)
So who are the “players” in this century , how did Lorain’s pride in her hospital end up one of the biggest debacles locally. And we have had many debacles over the years
Springs and Water that move beneath our feet……
Yes, water below your feet is moving all the time, but not like rivers flowing below ground. It’s more like water in a sponge. Gravity and pressure move water downward and sideways underground through spaces between rocks. Eventually it emerges back to the land surface, into rivers, and into the oceans to keep the water cycle going. https://www.usgs.gov/…/groundwater-flow-and-water-cycle
There are as documented those Devonian Springs beneath our feet they flowed before this city was a city and continue!!!
My home sits on the banks of a ravine that held and still holds water that now covered up by the debris , that was this neighborhood after the 1924 Tornado . You can see its path on the old map of 4th Steet ( Duane St. I firmly believe, this house of a hundred years next year, will eventually slide into the lot next door where the ravine “was filled in” and the water continues to wear away the land. Note on the 1837 map the ravine that was ….
Hopefully we can agree that water finds its own level and as the rain water and anything on top seeps through we should be very careful as to what materials goes into ravines and water sources??? Agreed????
The Players of the Decades:
Fast forward one hundred years to 1996. The hospital was no longer viable, times had changed . The Federal Government decided they would help out as they didn’t want these old hospitals being white elephants in the middle of urban communities.
So South Shore Community Development Corp came into being . One of the Stake holders was Attorney Anthony Giardini
South Shore then worked through the years to get tenants into the facility and a community center
“South Shore took ownership of the St. Joseph facility in 1997 after St. Joseph Hospital merged with Lorain Community Hospital to create Community Health Partners. An $800,000 federal grant was used to get the building ready for its new tenants. Additional grants and loans were secured The state had $1.4 million in loans invested in the community center, while the county and the city each have $700,000 in loans tied to the center.
and so the Community Center perked along until the bottom started to fall out financially…
The former St. Joseph Community Center and Stove Works sites received a combined $11.3 million in state funds for further cleanup and remediation on the properties. Both grants will be managed through the Lorain County Land Bank.
This is the second round of brownfield remediation dollars the city has received for both projects.
Both grants require a 25 percent local match, Safety/Service Director Rey Carrion said. The bulk of those local match funds will be through in-kind contributions such as waste removal, rather than cash.
“We’ve had a rough week, so to end the week on this note is fantastic,” Carrion said, referencing a storm earlier in the week that downed trees and left thousands without power for several days. “Just more positive outcomes are emerging here in Lorain and we’re thrilled — a lot of these issues have been in the works for years, the seeds have been planted and now we’re seeing things come to fr
In an email statement, Mayor Jack Bradley agreed with Carrion’s enthusiasm and pledged to clean both sites.
Lorain’s grants were part of $102 million awarded for 35 remediation projects across the state by the Ohio Department of Development.
St. Joseph Community Center, formerly St. Joseph Hospital, received $6.4 million to finish demolition and cleanup at the Broadway and West 21st Street complex.
The only intact structure, a six-deck parking garage, underwent a hazard assessment earlier this year, with Osborn Engineering recommending repairs to it within the next six months to prevent further deterioration. Osborn’s report cost the city $4,500.
Pardee report the dust as of 3. 14. 21 Note that date.. This is one of the ariel photos taken 2weeks before the City Stop work Order by the LORAIN County Auditors Office….. please don’t insult my intelligence by saying City Hall didn’t know and again .. well I am at a loss for words
The Lorain County Auditor stated We normally do spring Ariel’s and get as close to the tax lien date as possible. That aspect helps with board of revision work along with assisting in verification of percentage of completed work. It also allows us to check on new construction and demolition of properties. The overall purpose is to assist us in valuation of properties.
NOTE I requested from Mr. Koziura. Lorain City Auditor the costs of reports for the above companies with regard to St. Joseph Hospital after the demolition. HOWEVER, HE HAS SENT A COMPRHENSIVE REPORT OF THE MONIES THAT HAVE BEEN RECEVED FOR OTHER WORK DONE BY THOSE COMPANIES FOR THE CITY OF LORAIN VENDORS AND PURCHASE ORDERS ,
NOTE:please be aware of that when accessing this document . I will break down the expenses for the companies involved just in St. Joes
Verdantas:.. $ totals ,$ 261,000 and now 2,163,580
My figures : Verdantas has along with Hull formally received approx ( see refund) 2,428,580.00 Note: about the cost of remediating the parking Garage in 2022 dollars ! ( which of course wasn’t done) see Osborne Report.
********The one other thing was when you go through those Purchase Orders you will see the Ritenauer Administration in 2015 did it the right way as far as taking down the front of St. Joes with the EPA .. so Upton , Jack and Washinton had a template to go by…… WHY DIDN’T THEY DO THE RIGHT THING, WHO DECIDED THEY KNEW BETTER ?
City Council Regular Meeting
Meeting Date:
09/02/2025
Submitted by:
Kathryn Golden
AGENDA ITEM DESCRIPTION OR LEGISLATION TITLE:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY/SERVICE DIRECTOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH VERDANTAS FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES RELATED TO THE FORMER ST. JOSEPH HOSPITAL REMEDIATION AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND:
the City of Lorain has entered into a subrecipient agreement with the Lorain County Land Reutilization Corporation for brownfield funding intended to be utilized to remediate contamination at the Former Lorain St. Joseph Hospital. The City of Lorain has advertised Request for Qualification as required by the Ohio Revised Code Section 153.67 for the purpose of administering the Former Lorain St. Joseph Hospital project. The firms were rated and ranked. Verdantas was selected as the highest rated firm. This project includes professional services in the amount not to exceed $2,177,950.00. The Engineering Department seeks to enter into a professional services agreement with Verdantas.
City Council Regular Meeting
Meeting Date:
09/02/2025
Submitted by:
Kathryn Golden
AGENDA ITEM DESCRIPTION OR LEGISLATION TITLE:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY SERVICE DIRECTOR OF THE CITY OF LORAIN, OHIO, TO ENTER INTO A SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT WITH THE LORAIN COUNTY LAND REUTILIZATION CORPORATION FOR THE FORMER LORAIN ST. JOSEPH HOSPITAL REMEDIATION AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND:
In 2023, changes in the Ohio Department of Development’s Brownfield Remediation Program required that all applications submitted under the program be submitted by the “Lead Entity” selected by each county that desires to submit an application to obtain grant funding through the Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program. In Lorain County, the Ohio Department of Development dictated the Lorain County Land Reutilization Corporation as the “Lead Entity” for all applications in our county. The City of Lorain sought to apply for grant funding to finalize brownfield cleanup on the Former Lorain St. Joseph Hospital, Lorain, Ohio; The grant funding was awarded by the state, and in September 2024, the Lorain County Land Reutilization Corporation entered into a grant agreement with the Ohio Department of Development. While the total grant award of $6,490,690.00 requires a local match of $2,163,582.00, for a total project cost of $8,654,272.00, no direct expenditures from the City of Lorain will be required for the project. The City desires to enter into a Sub-Recipient Agreement, as required by the Ohio Department of Development, with the Lorain County Land Reutilization Corporation to receive grant funding and complete the Former Lorain St. Joseph Hospital Remediation.
Since the costs of even the Verdantas Enviromental report went up Iby percentage I wonder how much theri estimate of 4, million has gone up……
WHAT IS NOT THERE??????Over four years I have been writing about this debacle of ineptness, lies and political one upmanship, which led to the demo of a large Hospital / then Community Center. The story right from the beginning is one of , tax payers money, waste and politics. AND THE FINISHED PROJECT WAS AND IS A TOXIC DUMP!
Started by a new administration in 2020,with outreach by a newly appointed Safety Service Director Max Upton by the newly elected Mayor Jack Bradley. ( NOTE Bradley claimed be didn’t know about the sale or plans until after South Shore Development Corporation , last remaining board member James Janasko, business man Lorain. ( see previous posts) sold the property to A7 after March 2020. That wasn’t accurate according to texts received under public records request……… the first misstep in a series of lies and blunders
As we go through I have put documentation and time line in the linked previous posts.
My concern with South Shore Development and the sale of St. Joes ( Hospital) Community Center 205 W.20th started a whole mish mash of , he said , they said they didn’t do and will end up costing the United States Tax Payer millions of dollars.. all because a political newbie ( in my opinion) Bradley wanted to be the one to tear down and eyesore and develop the area. Maybe he trusted his friend and Safety Service Director too much , thinking that he ,Max Upton knew what he was doing. Upton introduced A7, the one man band , out of town business to Lorain. We know what happened next
The umbrella companies re Salvatore Tecce and his cohorts, took it down without due diligence as to any EPA or even city protocols with regard to tearing down those buildings , walked away after selling a lot of scrap said Mayor Bradley . and left Lorain … with back taxes, utilities . and a disaster
Going back to the sale of St Joes by Jim Janasko the last remaining Board member for 150,000
I have for years tried to find out if that money actually changed hands. South Shore Development Corporation was a 501c3.I believe unless it never changed hands officially and was gifted back to A7 to help with the demolition???? Was that the reason Upton put those ” demo permits in South Shores Name as discussed at length in all the previous articles on this situation .
one example :
For three and half years I tried to pin it down. I could not see on South Shores filings with the IRS and non profit information even in their final report which did not happen until 2023 – three years later .
Also when searching I found that Smoked Meats LLC purchased 1800,Livingston for $70,000 dollars August 27th 2019.You would think that would have shown on the reporting along with the 2020 filings for South Shore .. the one man band board ….
Point of fact I cannot find they filed anything in 2021. 2022 and the 2019 sale of 70,000 well one would think it would be in 2020 filing????instead there is NEGATIVE is sales of assets???????
Fiscal Year Ending Dec.2020
Extracted Financial Data
Extracted Financial Data from Form 990
Revenue
-$86,618
Expenses
$276,024
Net Income
-$362,642
Net Assets
$0
Notable Sources of Revenue
Percent of Total Revenue
Contributions
$0
Program Services
$0
Investment Income
$0
Bond Proceeds
$0
Royalties
$0
Rental Property Income
$0
Net Fundraising
$0
Sales of Assets
-$86,618
Net Inventory Sales
$0
Other Revenue
$0
Notable Expenses
Percent of Total Expenses
Executive Compensation
$0
Professional Fundraising Fees
$0
Other Salaries and Wages
$0
Assets/Debt
Total Assets
$0
Total Liabilities
$0
Net Assets
$0
So where di 150,000 and $70,000 end up? South Shore got to walk away… after millions of dollars were poured into that facility , and Lorain paid a a lot of funds out to keep it open and the Bradley “Tear it down”
More than $250,000 in back taxes and delinquent assessments are still owed on the site, something Bradley said he’d been willing to work with the developer on prior to the demolition debacle. It is unclear what became of outstanding utility bills, including an electric bill that was once in the city’s name.
“I had told them show me some good faith, demo the hospital and then we’ll talk about doing something about the back taxes — that’s when they started the demolition,” Bradley said. “Then they called me a few weeks ago and asked about if we could talk about the back taxes and I said you haven’t completed the demo yet. I felt like they were trying to blackmail me.”
Now, those back taxes may be leverage for the city to take ownership of the property and clean up the mess left behind.
Bradley said the city plans to “charge them with every code violation,” and start foreclosure proceedings. While it’s not a quick process, Bradley hopes once the proceedings start either Earth Exchange Inc. will finish the job properly, or the city will eventually take ownership and be able to use federal funds to raze the site.
He said once the city gets service on the property owner and foreclosure proceedings move forward, A7 Development will be unable to sell the property, and it is Bradley’s understanding there is another company willing to buy it to build affordable housing or commercial spaces.
“It’s one of these situations where we’re going to try to put their back up against a wall and make them realize that they’re not going to make a profit if they don’t do the job correctly,” Bradley said.
Moving on , well at least Upton moved on to his new position ( on probation) as Director of Building Housing and Planning and enter Jack’s pick Sanford Washington.. nice guy by all accounts, very “loyal” .
Apart from message requests I didn’t have much t do with him .He did mention when asked the reason the City of Lorain could go back to the Developers A7 and Earth Exchange was the reason they did not have and insurance…….well that was not expected because apparently they had no valid insurance and look at the last paragraph … NONE of that happened. WHY? Click on to a larger view
and the date is:)
Well Sanford too, apparently when he sent his letter of agreement obviously didn’t ask the Law Dept to check all the paperwork either, Law department would have checked to protect the City of Lorain and at least initial OK but none of that happened. …… Why ? Part of his responsibilities one would think…….. so another opportunity to check on the ” criminals ) Jack’s reference ( eventually) Disappointed in Washingtons part i all this after all his name is on this whole debacle.
I wonder if I would trust his word about anything or whether he was underorders of just didn’t do due diligence .
Max Upton was asked some questions on this blog by a guest writer . K. Kennedy who was most interested in Lorain. Also she discusses the Lorain Stove Works which is now being couple with St .Joes in financing and “dirt”
My main concern is whether the city has the significant experience in Brownfield revitalization that is noted, but not detailed, in the application.
If the St. Joe’s demolition is any indication of the expertise of the Building and Housing Department, it might be beneficial to hold off on this project until such time there is a much stronger presence there.
1.
A quick review of the information notes there are inconsistencies between the documents. It’s clear there is soil contamination but the documents are not consistent regarding the groundwater contamination.
UPTON REPLIES: There is no groundwater contamination on site.
NOTE LR not really that accurate as we have found out
Kennedy Question 6
The documents state that City of Lorain officials will manage this project and will put their SIGNIFICANT experience in Brownfield revitalization to overseeing and implementing the remediation. What specific experience do City officials have? Have
resumes been included in the application?
UPTON REPLIES :Sanford Washington owned and operated an environmental services firm for a number of years. With specific experience in hazardous wastes and contaminated sites.
I [Max Upton] have significant experience with the development of brownfield sites. The day to day oversight of the remediation will be done by a certified environmental professional that will be paid for out of grant funding.
OH- HER – AGAIN : NOTES: I have looked into the operating of an environmental firm registered by Mr. . Washington. I can find none but he has run a business since 1997 : see application for SWJ Enterprises description : I would personally like more details as to Mr. Washingtons ” environmental services ” His LinkedIn Page states:
Experience
Safety Service DirectorCity of Lorain, Ohio – Present1 year 7 months
Owner/PresidentSWJ Enterprises Inc. – Present28 years 11 months
AdministratorOur Lady of the Wayside – 6 years 2 months Avon, Ohio
Administrator over Behavior Support Services & Respite Care
Nowhere does his resume concur with Upton’s statement :
7.
What final tests will be performed to ensure the property is suitable/healthy for residential construction and for use as park land?
UPTON REPLIES: The City of Lorain will go through the Ohio voluntary action plan administered by the Ohio EPA and will have covenants in place certifying that the land is safe for residential use prior to the redevelopment.
8. The documents note that Lorain determined the asbestos was abated after removalin 2018. Was this independently verified? Since the cost of the remediation will be affected by this answer, independent verification would be appropriate.
UPTON DID NOT REPLY TO QUESTION NUMBER 8
Well Washington was given the thank you but don’t need you anymore and Rey Carrion , he of the longtime relationship with Sanford Prudoff Community Development City of Lorain and through a number of Mayors became the “new Safety Service Director.
Rey left “voluntarily” from his position in the City of Lorain Mayor Ritenauer’s administration. Rey went to the private sector .but not for long.
He ran for 6th Ward councilman and got in. He then decided not to run again as he was suffering from “health” problems and retired as of Jan 1 2024
Prior to that, he worked for the city for more than 20 years, including stints in economic development and building, housing and planning.
Bradley said Carrion’s background in economic development will be key in his administration’s next four years.
“I think Rey brings a wealth of knowledge regarding the city since he has over 20 years of experience working for the city, in addition to his experience as a member of council,” Bradley said.
Since I have know Mr. Carrion all those years. you would think he would have hit the ground running with Upton’s and the City involvement with the ” crime scene of St Joes ( Jack Bradley quote) and those involved! Did he ? NO just gave us more loyalty to his boss one presumes and his new lucrative “stepping stone ” of a job.
This intersection connects Lorain. So for us, it’s exciting. The potential is incredible,” said Carrion of Broadway Avenue and W. 21st Street, where the former hospital property sits.
The St. Joseph’s site will receive almost $6.5 million to complete demolition, remove asbestos and other hazardous materials and prepare the property for redevelopment.
“These are seeds that were planted years ago that are coming to fruition now,” Carrion said.
Additionally, a sprawling former industrial property in central Lorain is also receiving funding. The former Stove Works facility, located near W. 13th Street and Long Avenue, manufactured stoves and heaters. The site has been vacant since 1981 and still includes concrete footings and piles of debris.
Oh dear another “I love this City and I want transparency and I will work hard for the success………politician that has done nothing except glad handing and taking the money , and talking the talk when it comes to St Joes and the debacle of a demolition … NO investigation warranted I guess……. Why
I’ve reviewed your records request and have attached three items associated with the findings of the onsite assessment conducted at St. Joe’s by Verdantas. The final Phase 2 is complete but is still in draft format so is not yet available for public distribution. I expect that we’ll have the final document next week. The attached items associated with the Verdantas work include:
1. Memo associated with Verdantas call with Ohio EPA
2. Memo regarding the radiation screening conducted onsite
3. Summary of Evaluation of Remedial Options for Building Debris Removal at the City of Lorain Former St. Joseph Hospital Assessment Project
In addition, I’ve included the Osborn Engineering Hazard Assessment conducted on the St. Joe’s Parking Garage as referenced in your second request. Please let me know if you have any questions .Kate Golden, CPMSM, CFM | Storm Water Manager | City of Lorain Engineering Department
Thank you for the explanation, as an aside I was the person that pushed for the Osborne report re the Parking Garage ( see Pat Riley and various emails and formal complaint).
The mere fact you are stating that parking garage poses “no immediate” threat is not a comforting to me as it is to the city officials apparently, as in that very Osborne report it states the conditions at the parking garage are deteriorating rapidly. Define rapidly I suppose….
Also from reading the summary re the radiation, ground water leakage, lead levels compromised asbestos tiles there are a number of caveats that I find worrying . And I will be using my own resources to explore that further .
I am very well aware of the history of the debacle from October 30th 2020 and before with the history of St. Joes Hospital going back to Mayor Krasienko and Gilchrist and Mercy Hospital and all the minutes re South Shore Development Corp 1996 I have written extensively about the situation for years.
I am fully aware of the City of Lorain’s predicament as well as the problems with the parcels . And quite honestly if due diligence ( in my opinion) had been done in researching the umbrella companies under Salvatore Tecce and A7 before October 2020 we would not have this debacle for the tax payers, that is my opinion.
Since Legal dept was not involve in that “agreement ” with Earth Exchange etc. there apparently were no checks and balances in place and we find ourselves in my opinion unable to claim against any owner or developer. .
My concern is as it always has been the health and welfare of the neighbors and those that frequent that site illicitly or not , The fact there are underground springs ( Devonian Springs) beneath those basements now filled with whatever and the construction works that were exposed to the asbestos tile fragments as they were broken down.
I am sorry the City of Lorain is in this position BUT it does I am afraid stem from that enabling letter of October 30th 2020 and lack of due diligence.
Further more I hope that by leaving a paper trail of my concerns in future years will have an access to the what happened . If it is NOT a hazadous site by what EPA or Federal Standards are we to be left with the eyesore and deteriorating conditions indefinitely? It is not good enough ! I believe the citizens of Lorain deserve better that platitudes and “trying our best. ”
I am very annoyed at how this has played out and those involved included ex city officials such as Max Upton ( the go to guy) should be held accountable. I t is a terrible waste in order to “get it down”
I believe Mayor Bradley stated at one point there was a reporting to the DOJ with regard to being blackmailed ( see Chronicle) by the developers and I may be paraphrasing ” Not to mess with Lorain” well seems they have and left their mess and paid us nothing for the privilege .
The administration under Max Upton lied to our Council at Large Mrs. Springowski as to how the demo was progressing and that concrete and waste were not being dumped into those basement. I have all of that documentation and it is published. So you see trust is lost when it comes to this site I am afraid.
However thank you for the assistance. I am sure we will be talking again at some point. I hope everyone has a happy and healthy New Year as well.
OH dear and now after nearly 5years of the manipulation and machinations we are cleaning up…..hmm
In fact when I originally reached out to the EPA they sent me all the documents for the demolition of St. Joes Community Center……….. ERRRRRR but that was for 2015, they hadn’t any information as to 2020.. no clue it had been demoed.
Nobody told the EPA apparently except for one email from Kate Golden of City of Lorain’s Engineering Dept.
I asked for public records from the City and also from the EPA and this is they only email that mentions demolition? However you will note this was October 6th 2020 24 days BEFORE the Agreement letter from Sanford Washington and the city with the Agreement. without benefit of input from our Law Dept.
Ms. Golden does NOT mention the contractor ?
why not they might be disreputable and the EPA might be aware of them ( as apparently they were LACKING IN HONESTY)
Ms. Golden does NOT mention the fact, in her email to the EPA, this is a huge deteriorating hospital with all the problems that should have raised red flags in the mind of those wishing transparency.. so why not???
Ms. Golden then states the are just taking down the ‘Vertical Structures ” and that the foundations will be left in place. That being said, he’s indicated that there will be no real soil disturbing activities – so should we be sending him the NOI and plan review route, or no? My initial thought would be = no, but I wanted to ensure you concur with this
Oh dear ,that wasn’t exactly a lot of information to get and OK with the EPA :
Hi Kate,
If they are leaving the concrete pad/foundation in place and not backfilling with any soil or fill materials, then it would not be considered a disturbance. So, from what you mentioned, it does not sound like this project would
require coverage under the Construction Storm Water Permit.
Let me know if you need anything else or have other questions.
I received a call today from a demo contractor that will be taking down a building in Lorain. The entire project site is about 3 acres, but he’s indicated that right how they are just taking down the vertical structures and t=
hat the foundations will be left in place. That being said, he’s indicated
that there will be no real soil disturbing activities – so should we be sending him the NOI and plan review route, or no? My initial thought would be no, but I wanted to ensure you concur with this.
Let me know your thoughts.
Kate Golden, CPMSM, CFM | Storm Water Manager | City of Lorain Engineering Department
200 West Erie Avenue, Lorain, OH 44052 | p. 440.204.2059
No disturbance there is there ? And yes the rest of the email before Kate Golden reached out to the EPA does give the name of the contact and also that it would be St. Joes . Why didn’t Golden give the EPA the complete information THE WHOLE EMAILEXCHANGE CAN BE FOUND HERE.. This is the beginning of the contact with Englineering and Earth Exchange ( A 7)
Kate knew exactly who they were dealing with and what the demo was…….and she and Dale Vandersomme of Engineering presumably know ,in their professional capacity; that taking down two and three and four stories of abuilding and its basements would have issue and ground disturbance … Prove me wrong.
But Kate gave them permission from the State and City ……
I have received no other correspondence from either the City of Lorain or EPA in this situation .. if you read the documents in the PDF DOC ( 7) you will find out that after numerous complaints and trying to reach them they ( Earth Exchange A 7 etc. stopped answering as things went belly up……. February 25th 2021….. all there and just after Mayor Bradley gave his State of the city address.
The stop Work order was given On March 30th 2021. a month and one week after Earth Exchange apparently stopped replying…….
Kate knew and Vandersomme and others due to being copied on the correspondence when making those videos we had issues and NO_ONE even on the email chain said a word..…… I can understand the Law dept .after all they are there acting for the City of Lorain to protect them not us BUT the City did not engage with the EPA as to what the demo entailed and who was doing it …. to be continued
HOW COULD A WHOLE CITY BLOCK BE DEMOLISHED IN THE CENTRAL PART OF LORAIN DISAPPEAR…….WHERE WERE THE CHECKS AND BALANCES REQUIRED IN THE TWENTY FIRST CENTURY ….WHY DID NO-ONE CHECK AND WHY WAS THERE NEVER AN INVESTIGATION???????
Jack Bradley- I am HE “tear it down”
Max Upton – the instigator
It seems that there wasn’t any interest by anyone to get to the bottom of why this happened, even our local media or indeed any of the Channel Five .. just covered what happened. no investigation there…… .
NOTE: Legacy St. Joes Part Three
Since it has taken me three years to find out just who introduced Salavatore Tecce, and his one man band Development Company it was Jack Bradley golden one … Max Upton , Jack Bradley’s then Safety Service Director . was the one that introduced A7 to Lorain… and by connecting the dots to Jim Janasko and thereby follows Jack Bradley!!!!! ( confirmation available re Upton and A7)
After the lies told to Council at Large – Mary Donovan Springowski in an email chain as she queried why were the developers/demolition company Earth Exchange dumping debris ( according to the neighbors ) into the basements of the old hospital … see the published post here
From: Springowski, Mary Sent: Saturday, April 24, 2021 6:17 PM To: Upton, Max
Subject: Old St.Joseph Hospital
Did the demolition company bury the concrete from demolishing the old hospital?
Someone asked me and I said I had no idea. Is that permissible, to bury the debris?
Mary Springowski
PLEASE NOTE THE DATES OF THE EMAILS
Max Upton – the instigator
AND MAX Upton’s reply: AGAIN THE DATE IS VERY IMPORTANT : APRIL 26TH…………
AND WHAT MR. UPTON DIRECTOR OF BUILDING HOUSING AN PLANNING STATED ON APRIL 26TH 2021
From: “Upton, Max” <Max_Upton@cityoflorain.org>
Date: 4/26/21 1:22 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: “Springowski, Mary” <Mary_springowski@cityoflorain.org>
Subject: RE: Old St. Joseph Hospital
To my knowledge they have not. We are working to make sure the comply with our ordinances.
AND MY IFFY METER WAS GOING WILD.
Have Permits been pulled, where are we on inspections, have the environmental licenses been pulled, is there any toxicity on the site the City of Lorain should know about?
Mr Upton apparently lied to Mrs Springowki in that email dated APRIL 26TH 2021 because 27 days ( almost a month earlier ) Richard Klinar the Chief Building Inspector slapped a stop work order on the site for the very issue Mrs. Springowski was questioning.
NOTE this was part of a letter sent to the Lorain Civil Service Commission and entered as part of the record …when he was being considered for a permanent Civil Service Position as Director of Building and Planning ………
NOBODY DID ANYTHING , NOBODY SAID ANYTHING NOT CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, THE AMINISTRATION , CivilService Commsion ( who had already run foul of Upton’s wrath see part one and the spy ring and the Upton threat in that letter.
OR ANYONE AT CITY HALL OR IN THE MEDIA. WHY????
Mr Upton apparently lied to Mrs Springowki in that email dated APRIL 26TH 2021 because 27 days ( almost a month earlier ) Richard Klinar the Chief Building Inspector slapped a stop work order on the site for the very issue Mrs. Springowski was questioning.
And actually Jack Bradley wanted an update :
AND THE WAFFLE AND LIES CONTINUED BECAUSE ACCORDING TO THAT MEMO TO JACK .. UPTON HAD ALREADY SENT A REQUEST AND LETTER TO THE ‘DEVLOPERS’ THREE DAYS BEFORE HE LIED TO MARY DONOVAN SPINGOWSKI……..
NO ONE DID ANYTHING or investigated anything UNTIL incensed I asked for Public Records Requests and the whole sorry story then unfolded ……… was written about askeD about by me … NOTHING. No-one investigated …NO-ONE FOLLWEDTHROUGH ..WHY??
and here we are 4 years later still being waffled by Kate Golden and the Mayor Jack Bradley
and as of yesterday September 20th 2025… at the IAV, Lorain .. wonder if anyone asked him what happened???Nah they know what happened…….They were all there the Media, the politicians the Movers and Shakers…..He swanned around blameless and shameless and who cared he was the go to guy.
I needed a friend and have them
As Jack Bradely loudly proclaimed in the Chronicle Telegram as he appointed Upton to a permanent Civil Service position in Building Housing and Planning as the Director “He EATS , LIVES AND BREATHES THIS STUFF and now Jack in my opinion after much research over 4 years on your part in this demo and Upton SO DID AND STILL DO WE!!!!!
PREAMBLE : THE CLOSING MAYOR OF LORAIN JACK BRADLEY’S DISASTER DEMO – ST JOSEPH’S COMMUNITY CENTER …. LORAIN OHIO.
As I write this on a beautiful September morning 2025 my thoughts are turning toward the past 4.5 years of writing about St. Joes, the shame of an administration that claim NO SHAME or RESPONSIBILITY .
I am breathing in cool clean air washed by an early morning rain , a perfect periwinkle blue sky scattered with fluffy white clouds provide a back drop for trees whose leaves are shimmering , emerald and peridot hues quivering in a cool breeze and sparkling with rays of sunshine.
There is a quiet this morning, the splashing of the garden waterfall and a special kind of quiet permeated the air, only to be broken by the sound of a lone dog wanting attention a couple of streets away. If silence is golden this morning, then I am very wealthy indeed today.
It is absolutely a beautiful day in this place of Lorain, Ohio that I have called home for 53 years., where I have lived in my starter home, married to a gentle and honorable man, tried to do what I could for this my “new hometown” , raised my children, laughed with my grandchildren , found numerous friends and some enemies 🙂
Rose of Sharron, in their many colors are dotted in amongst the greenery . Last roses of summer struggle to bloom before the tempest of rainy frosty days to come that will leave a harshness and barebones of winter’s destruction.
I am reminded that 16 blocks away stands a monument to man’s ineptness , lies, lack of foresight and disgrace. Men of an Administration, people of politics, the sweeping away of decency and accountability under the preverbal political rug. Who apparently will never be held accountable by ANYONE including our own City Council for the destruction of trust , intelligence, toxicity and waste perpetuated on this community .
And not only in this community …. the American Tax payers.. those wonderful grants that we pay for local, statewide and national, all our dollar ear marked for supposedly a better quality of life are being gathered in in their millions
to pay for the decisions of a few, ………never have so many been asked to PAY for the decisions of a few behind those closed doors. These conversations have all been documented , the paperwork up loaded for all to see on these pages. ( see links)
To paraphrase Winston Churchill, (forgive me Winnie but the lives that I can see having a unhealthy future because of these decisions , bring me to the negative ,not thanking them .
Continuing in my paraphrasing ‘ I HOLD MY TRUTHS HERE ON OH HER AGAIN), TO BE SELF- EVIDENT …. There are many proofs positives and evidence on these pages that Mayor Bradly and his Administration have done to this demo!with this debacle right from February 2nd 2020 when he said he knew nothing , until after the sale by the the 501C3 …. well apparently he did.. the “beginning”
would find their behaviour reprehensible. Although it seems a winning smile and party politics dismiss any responsibility by the residents, backers and overseeing organizations in government agencies, Four and Half years of research and thousands of words , all backing documents would think would bring some mention or questioning.. aparently not .
Millions and Millions to be spent… , monies not accounted for with a 501 C3??? It is tax payers money even if it is not locally sourced Tuesday’s Sept 2nd Agenda and the money keeps adding up
AGENDA ITEM DESCRIPTION OR LEGISLATION TITLE:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY SERVICE DIRECTOR OF THE CITY OF LORAIN, OHIO, TO ENTER INTO A SUBRECIPIENT AGREEMENT WITH THE LORAIN COUNTY LAND REUTILIZATION CORPORATION FOR THE FORMER LORAIN ST. JOSEPH HOSPITAL REMEDIATION AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND:
In 2023, changes in the Ohio Department of Development’s Brownfield Remediation Program required that all applications submitted under the program be submitted by the “Lead Entity” selected by each county that desires to submit an application to obtain grant funding through the Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program. In Lorain County, the Ohio Department of Development dictated the Lorain County Land Reutilization Corporation as the “Lead Entity” for all applications in our county. The City of Lorain sought to apply for grant funding to finalize brownfield cleanup on the Former Lorain St. Joseph Hospital, Lorain, Ohio; The grant funding was awarded by the state, and in September 2024, the Lorain County Land Reutilization Corporation entered into a grant agreement with the Ohio Department of Development. While the total grant award of $6,490,690.00 requires a local match of $2,163,582.00, for a total project cost of $8,654,272.00, no direct expenditures from the City of Lorain will be required for the project. The City desires to enter into a Sub-Recipient Agreement, as required by the Ohio Department of Development, with the Lorain County Land Reutilization Corporation to receive grant funding and complete the Former Lorain St. Joseph Hospital Remediation.
So Jack has cost us with that inept debacle of a tear down wheeled and dealed by his a administration by US I mean the tax payers of this United States of America 10,832,222.00 NO NO! NO! NO BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTING COSTS AND THAT ALSO WELL THERE IS THAT PARKING GARAGE COST .. AND ALSO ALL THE COST PAID TO VENDATAS ALREADY….…..
What do they care there is no state and federal accountability for this “crime scene” as Jack called it
AGENDA ITEM DESCRIPTION OR LEGISLATION TITLE:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SAFETY/SERVICE DIRECTOR TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH VERDANTAS FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES RELATED TO THE FORMER ST. JOSEPH HOSPITAL REMEDIATION AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND:
the City of Lorain has entered into a subrecipient agreement with the Lorain County Land Reutilization Corporation for brownfield funding intended to be utilized to remediate contamination at the Former Lorain St. Joseph Hospital. The City of Lorain has advertised Request for Qualification as required by the Ohio Revised Code Section 153.67 for the purpose of administering the Former Lorain St. Joseph Hospital project. The firms were rated and ranked. Verdantas was selected as the highest rated firm. This project includes professional services in the amount not to exceed $2,177,950.00. The Engineering Department seeks to enter into a professional services agreement
As I continue with the last chapters of the END OF THE BEGINNING BFORE THE ENDING OF TAKE DOWN AND UNDER THE RUG … SHE GOES ….. HAPPENS IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. GONE AND FORGOTTEN AND THE GLAD HANDING OF GRANTS……..There is one aspect in the months of research, which won’t be found in the last chapter. WHAT ISN’T THERE AND WASN’T THEREAND IN CONCLUSION NEVER DONE?
The documentation that shows due diligence was done doesn’t exist, no reports of follow up, inspections , taking of toxic waste to the dumps. not there as the destruction took place by what Mayor Bradley called Criminal, he should know shouldn’t he?????…… It was his appointed Safety Service Director Maxmillian Upton who introduced those so called criminals and developers to Lorain and it was Bradley’s decision to keep City Of Lorain Legal Dept out of the picture in the “agreement meeting” ( again documented )
I have confirmation ( which will be shown in the next continuation the protocol of EPA and Ohio Government not being adhered to.
This is remarkable because it is what is NOT documented in those last days of destruction that is most shocking because this isn’t wheeling and dealing, getting it down and making themselves look good … THIS WAS AND IS A HEALTH ISSUE AND PEOPLE’S LIVES AT RISK.
This is similar tear down in Clevland done properly (months, not years sitting there blowing asbestos in the wind for 4 years) : with protocols followed and paperwork adhered to
Not to say that Lorain didn’t ever take down part of St, Josephs Hospital correctly………..
In 2015 the previous administration under Chase Ritenauer did follow EPA guidelines etc. You would think the Mayor Bradley would have checked how it was to be done before costing the Amercian Taxpayer millions for his ineptness and out right arrogance in my opinion
And so I will catalogue next what wasn’t done as there isn’t any paperwork, the costs and upload the reports the files , the who didn’t appear to follow through……….. but then again there is a lovely piece of art work with blue skies and fluffy clouds
It is the crap that “lies” beneath this pretty picture that is just as toxic as the chemicals and asbestos that is not shown !
THEY did a job ON LORAIN .. they caused toxicity and destruction and who will pay WE the taxpayers, City , State and Federal . And with this property from 1997 we have paid millions already.
We left off in Part 3a with the introduction to Lorain by Max Upton through South Shore Community Development Corporation and those pesky umbrella companies.
MAY 18 2020
MAYOR BRADLEY: I want to start off the meeting with some good news regarding St. Joseph’s hospital.
The development company that owns the site, A7 Development, they have indicated to us their intention to demolish St. Joseph’s hospital. We are hoping that will be accomplished by the end of the year for development purposes.
Safety/Service Director Max Upton has been working with them diligently to get this put together. We are going to have a press release to release to the press today but I think that this is really, really good news. That eyesore has been there and we are going to be able to reduce crime, the vandalism and we are going to be able to put a project there that is going to start to develop that area of Lorain because with housing and other development that is proposed there we will then start having restaurants in that area, we’ll start having shops in that area and that area will be revitalized again.
We are going to have a press release to release to the press today but I think that this is really, really good news. It is very, very good news. The owners of that site are A7 Development and I think they are out of Massachusetts. It is good to start off the meeting with some good news for our city.
COUNCILMAN FALLIS: First of all I want to welcome A7 Development to Lorain. Number 2, I am glad to hear that they are moving forward on removing this blighted situation on our city. I have a comment on that, will the City of Lorain be participating at all with assistance or funds to help with that blighted situation?
SAFETY/SERVICE DIRECTOR UPTON: At this point in time they are in land development and the point in which the city can help is when they go “ground up” and actually building the site from clean. They’re working to do the demolition. Once they get a clean site the City will do anything and everything it is able to do to help facilitate the revitalization of that corridor.
COUNCILMAN FALLIS: I want to thank the administration for helping to move this project forward and also there is a gentleman who was with Southshore Development Corporation, Mr. Jim Janasko, and I understand that he had a lot of input in terms of trying to get this deal done so we thank him for his efforts as well.
COUNCILWOMAN SPRINGOWSKI: Do we know what type of development? Will it be retail, commercial, housing? What are they looking at?
SAFETY/SERVICE DIRECTOR UPTON: The short answer is yes, they are looking at a mixed use site that is part retail, part housing, and amenity space. There has been conveyed to them the need for an urgent care facility on that side of town, the due diligence and market analysis portion of predevelopment so we have been working with them on a full development concept but it will be a mixed use site and then it’ll also in some measure compliment the VALOR home across the street and provide housing for veterans as well on that particular site.
MAY 19 2020— SAID UPTON THE FACILITATOR
This is welcomed news for the city of Lorain,” he said. “The St. Joe’s site has been an eyesore that has been a hotbed for vandalism and criminal activity for years.
“The demolition of the site is a sign of progress for the neighborhood, and we are excited for the future of the St. Joe’s site.”
The permitting and zoning process will begin in coming weeks with hopes of announcing the site master plan by early September.
Getting rid of the building would fulfill a wish by the city administration, said city Safety-Service Director Max Upton.
“I have been in touch with the development team since the acquisition and have had numerous conversations about the needs of the community and the city’s desires to have the building demolished,” Upton said. “The A7 Development team has been receptive to our message of community need and resident input throughout the development process.
“This is just the first step of that process.”
******TAKE SPECIAL ATTENTION THAT HE HAS BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE DEVELOPER SINCE THE ACQUISITION – WE WILL BE COMING BACK TO THAT 🙂
And all went quiet for a few months . But the cards were still in play
FAST FORWARD TO OCTOBER 30TH 2020
The meeting held with JACK BRADLEY, MAX UPTON ( now Director Building Housing and planning due to another scandal and spies and getting rid of the then Director Kellie Glenn taking her place ) see
This cozy little meeting that ended up with an agreement with
SO you say well OUR LAW DEPARTMENT , LAW DIRECTOR PATRICK RILEY WAS NOT PARTY TO THAT MEETING.
WHY??? you see it is the mission statement and obligation of the Law Dept to protect the City of Lorain , especially in contracts and agreement .. obviously Jack Bradley and Max Upton would have been aware of that so why weren’t they included. My question were they afraid our Law Department before initialing or signing off on such an agreement would have checked out who the City was dealing with . A cursory search of these “developers ( later called criminals by Bradley would have shown:)
And now of course the Permits.. that too is an anomaly “Two original permits” were issued NOT TO A7 NOT TO EARTH EXCHANGE WHO SUPPOSEDLY TORE DOWN THE BUILIDNGS Note: was not even a company until after they tore the building down …..BUT to SOUTH SHORE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION – WHO HAD SOLD THE PROPERTY IN MARCH 2020
EARTH EXCHANGE INC. has been set up 2/16/2021 in state MA. The current status of the business is Active. The EARTH EXCHANGE INC. principal address is 800 TURNPIKE ST STE 300, N ANDOVER, 01845. Meanwhile you can send your letters to 800 TURNPIKE ST STE 300, N ANDOVER, MA, 01845. The company`s registered agent is LEGALINC CORPORATE SERVICES INC. 5237 SUMMERLIN COMMONS STE 400, FT MYERS, FL, 33907. The company`s management are Director, Vice President – Tecce Salvatore, President, Secretary – Youkstetter Karl.
We know from various sources, media etc. EARTH EXCHANGE started taking down the building in JANUARY of 2021
Max Upton, I contend since he introduceD A7 in the first place would have known.. did he not want Pat Riley and our legal dept to put a spanner in the work????
So the continuation of that meeting ( OCTOBER 30 2020) with Earth Exchange/ Mayor Jack Bradley, Max Upton/ Sanford Washington SANS Law Director – Pat. Riley of October 30th 2020 … in the MIDST OF COVID AND WHITHOUT THE CITY HAVING ANY CHECKS AND BALANCES .. NOW WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED 4 YEARS ON:
NOTE NO DATE
What I find puzzling that EVEN BEFORE THAT MEETING OF OCTOBER 30/ 2020 and the “agreement ” Max Upton has already issued a PERMIT see jpg) DATED May 20/ 2020
When you look closely at that permit you will note the permission given is to SOUTH SHORE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION …BUT SOUTH SHORE SOLD THE PROPERTY 2 MONTHS EARLIER
WHY?????? and actually Not only was permission given to South Shore but the people doing the demo work was EARTH EXCHANGE INC. “( YOU KNOW THE COMPANY THAT WASN’T A COMPAY UNTIL EARTH EXCHANGE INC. has been set up 2/16/2021 in state MA. The current status of the business is Active. The EARTH EXCHANGE INC.”
AND THE PERMIT OF May 20th 2020 reads ” Permission is hereby agreed to South Shore Development Corporation – Interior Demo of Vacant Hospital Center -205 West 20th – the work is to be done by Earth Exchange Inc .
Questions that spring to mind….
Was Law Director aware these permission were being given?
Was the permission given to South Shore (not as a typo that Upton claimed) but because perhaps South Shore was using that 150,000 to pay for the permit????
Did Jack Bradley Know these permissions were being given in May 20 -2020 before the “October 30th agreement?
Was anyone on City council aware????
Now back to the next permit October 30, 2020
After that cozy little meeting behind closed doors on OCTOBER 30th 2020 Another permit was given this time for full demolition and the date October 30th 2020 (see jpg)
It again nearly 9 months after South Shore sold to A7 is the one being given permission to :
Permission is hereby granted to South Shore Development Corporation – FULL DEMO BUILDING ONLY– 205 West 20th work to be done by EARTH EXCHANGE INC
Question again:
Obviously why was South shore given the permit ? ( was it because they were paying the bills out of that 150,000.. someone needs to contact the city and ask WHO PAID?????
And of course were the legal dept or anyone on Council know – at large perhaps or 2nd Ward Council person Vitoria Kempton???? surely they should have been informed of such a momenteous happening of EVEN THE EPA???? well I can answer that one the EPA ( they informed me were not given any notification) more later.
ALL DOCUMENTS FROM PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS – and are available. Due to the number of wheeling and dealing documentation this last four years of St. Joes will be in parts A , B C
More damage done to Central Lorain and St. Josephs ( Hospital) Community Center in 4 years than in over 100………. and the Movers and Shakers and Demo Makers Rogues Galley!!!!!!
MAX UPTON – THE INSTIGATOR
SALVATORE TECCE THE ONE MAN BAND DEVELOPER
JACK BRADLEY .. I AM HE– TEAR IT DOWN
SANFORD WASHINGTON – I WRITE LETTERS
AS ALWAYS THERE IS A BEGINNING TO THIS END !
It was a new Administration for Mayor Jack Bradley ( the Criminal Attorney) and on their agenda was St. Jospehs Community Center, run by South Shore Community Development Corporation ( more movers and shakers) ( see Part one and two) . South Shore was down to one remaining Board member James Janasko, Lorain ( Janasko Insurance). Worryingly , that meant he had the lone decision making for the St. Joes property. The property had sat here gathering taxes etc. and slowly dropping bits off.
The follow video is from February 2019 just one year before Jack and Co came into power. This is what Jim Janasko was in charge of as the only remaining South Shore Development Corp. Board member…..
FEBRUARY 7TH 2020 – Just one moth after taking office , Jack and co had plans for St. Joes. The wheeling and dealing had already begun according to a text sent to Jack Bradley by then Chief of staff Mellisa Kemp Barnhart . Mellisa came to us from Columbus . Bradley liked the fact obviously she had contacts in Franklin county : ( Note that didn’t last long ) Mellisa ” resigned ” Third week in May 2020…..
Back to February Mellisa sent a text to Jack February 7th 2020 “before ” St. joes was sold to Salvatore Tecce by Jim Janasko for $150,000. So, in my considered “opinion” something was “blowing in the wind” even then. The text has been redacted, due to what I believe could be construed as to what could be an insulting description due to race by Jack Bradley . I have the original text.
Janasko didn’t know what A7 was going to do with the property… NOTE: you would think that Mr. Janasko would have reached out to the City and County since they had a lot of dollars tied up in this property. Dis He Did Jack and co know? I reached out to the City auditor and County and they had been told nothing or received any monies at all from that Sale ( emails available)
Since it has taken me three years to find out just who introduced Salavatore Tecce, and his one man band Development Company it was Jack Bradley golden one … Max Upton , His then Safety Service Director . was the one that introduced A7 to Lorain… and by connecting the dots to Jim Janasko and thereby follows Jack Braley!!!!! ( confirmation available re Upton and A7)
THE GOLDEN ONES MAX AND JACK
MAX UPTON – JACK BRADLEY’S GO TO GUY!!!! ( sigh not a good recommendation in my opinion I would be very careful when Jack is recommending )
From the Morning Journal article re Bradley Staff announcements
As I said throughout the campaign, ‘Lorain is open for business,’” Bradley said. “I believe that Max has the skills and experience from the public, private and nonprofit sectors to be able to speak to a diverse set of stakeholders and drive critical projects forward through the city.” and Upton …. “I always wanted to move back to Lorain, and I always wanted to be in some small measure a piece of Lorain coming back to being the city it deserves,” he said.
Upton used the analogy of Lorain’s assets being like a teeter-totter being ready to tip. ( NOTE: well those last words were prophetic because we have a tip tight in the middle of the Central Businesses district!
“When that teeter goes and the gas pedal hits and Lorain takes off again, I want to say I spent part of my life in that work and being part of that,” he said.
NOW THEW QUESTION BEGS TO BE ANSWERED SINCE BRADLEY’S MAN UPTON INTRODUCED LORAIN TO A7… WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT A7? did they even do a cursory check as I did …
SOLD TO A7 Development Group LLC (with outstanding taxes, and utilities)
A7 Development Corp LLC by March 2020 had been in business for a little over 2 years and has one principle Salvatore Tecce A7 Development Company File No. 001 348859
SALVATORE TECCE (who is the company’s only principle. He is the agent, president, vice president, director, treasurer and secretary
Salvatore Tecce is also one of the two “principles for the demolition company hired by A7 Development (Group) Corp–“Earth Exchange”And please note the date of their registration.
EARTH EXCHANGE INC. has been set up 2/16/2021 in state MA. The current status of the business is Active. The EARTH EXCHANGE INC. principal address is 800 TURNPIKE ST STE 300, N ANDOVER, 01845. Meanwhile you can send your letters to 800 TURNPIKE ST STE 300, N ANDOVER, MA, 01845. The company`s registered agent is LEGALINC CORPORATE SERVICES INC. 5237 SUMMERLIN COMMONS STE 400, FT MYERS, FL, 33907. The company`s management are Director, Vice President – Tecce Salvatore, President, Secretary – Youkstetter Karl.
We know from various sources, media etc. EARTH EXCHANGE started taking down the building in JANUARY of 2021
Wel apparently Upton either didn’t know or check any further than the “yes we are interested” because he found out to his regret ( I hope he regretted the lack of information…… he has left but his boss looks bad, to me at least . In a memo when the tip tipped he states : Note related entities this is the glowing group of umbrella companies that are all the same …….
OH Her Again! 