License, title bureaus plan to move this summer

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by Jeff Saunders

Reporter

Northfield Village -- The area's automobile license and title bureaus plan to move from Macedonia into Summit Plaza in Northfield Village this summer.

Steve Chaney, of New Plaza Management LLC, said Feb. 20 that the company has signed a two-year lease agreement with the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles and a seven-year agreement with the Summit County Clerk of Court's Automobile Title Bureau.

The two agencies are planning to occupy about 4,500 square feet next to Aldi's market.

"We anticipate having them in June 1," said Chaney.

Council President Nick Kostandaras said a resolution approving the agreement will probably come before Council March 3.

"It looks like it's going to pass without any problems," said Kostandaras.

Final approval of the lease is also pending at the state level.

BMV spokesperson Julie Ehrhart said final details of its lease with New Plaza Management are being finalized this week.

"They're still working on some final details," she said. "The whole intention was to keep the title office and the BMV together for the convenience of our customers."

New Plaza Management owner Larry Shafron said he believes the two agencies will help other businesses in the plaza.

"It's going to be fabulous," said Shafron. "It will bring in a lot of people to the plaza."

The license and title bureaus are presently located next to Macedonia city hall in the city's former municipal building, which is now owned by the county.

Summit County Clerk of Courts Daniel Horrigan, who runs the title bureau, said those offices are roughly half the size of the Plaza site.

"It's really quite small and the cost of upgrades would have been quite expensive," said Horrigan.

"You walk in and there's a very short waiting area. People are waiting out the door," he continued. "We're getting busier and busier and the new space will accommodate us better."

Horrigan added that the new facility will also give the license and title bureau greater visibility in a heavily trafficked area.

Chaney remodeling work will begin once the county approves the lease.

"It will be a complete state-of-the-art facility," he said.

He said work will include creating two separate offices, with the common area at the entrance and counters.

Mayor Victor Milani said he agreed that the presence of the two agencies will be a boon to the area.

"I think it's going to be a great attraction, a great leader item to get people to come into the village and the plaza," he said.