Medina council approves measure to replace sandstone slabs in historic district

MEDINA, Ohio – Last month Service Director Nino Piccoli expressed a need to replace sandstone slabs in Medina's historic district with concrete as these areas have created a tripping hazard in recent years. At its most recent meeting, council gave the green light to proceed with the work.

Council voted unanimously to approve an additional expenditure of $20,000 to Rocco Masonry to complete the work on the square.

"We have identified about 70 locations on the square where this sandstone had been installed in about two-feet by two-feet slabs," Piccoli said. "This was part of the 1996 streetscape project, but these slabs are failing significantly and have been identified as a potential hazard. The contractor is committed to getting these removed rapidly and pouring concrete in these spaces."

Council President John Coyne said he was recently at the square for an event and noticed how many of the sandstone slabs had sunk about an inch to an inch and a half lower than the rest of the sidewalk.

"I'm not sure what the purpose of these slabs were," he said. "There are no markings on them."

City officials claimed the sandstone slabs were meant as a nod to Medina's history as sandstone was originally used in the square, but Mayor Dennis Hanwell said that the sandstone slabs currently present is not the original sandstone.

"The intention was to reflect the sandstone that was originally there, but the sandstone there is not historic," he said.

"It was meant to pay homage to the history, but I don't think they expected it to sink," Councilor Jim Shields said.

"Sandstone just doesn't hold up well to the freezing and thawing that happens around here," Coyne said.