State purchases flood-prone property in Celina

CELINA - Flood-prone land that until recently was occupied by a family-run appliance store is now owned by the state.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources paid $406,200 for the property where Bob's Audio and Video has operated since 1980 along U.S. 127 in Celina. The deal also includes an adjacent storage building to the north.

ODNR acquired the deed on June 15.

The former owners of the 1.04-acre property are Thomas and Candace Krick of Celina, who officially closed the store on Tuesday. The couple years ago joined dozens of other residents - mostly farmers - in a lawsuit against the state for flood damage to their properties near Beaver Creek caused by the spillway.

About 30 cases remain pending in the local court, but the Kricks opted to settle.

"I'm semi-retired now ... and these court cases could drag on for years," he said.

ODNR in April 2013 filed an eminent domain action against the Kricks' property. Eminent domain allows the government to expropriate property after paying the owner fair market value.

However, ODNR and the Krick's recently concurred and the eminent domain action was changed to a "purchase agreement."

ODNR spokesman Mike Williams said it was the best solution for everyone involved.

"The parties discussed the issue amicably and it worked it out," he said.

Williams said ODNR intends to use the property and buildings for parks and/or watercraft storage, citing its close proximity to Grand Lake.   

The Kricks are keeping a second storage building to the north, which is used for the couple's "Big Stuff Storage" business.

After the historic Fourth of July flood in 2003, the Federal Emergency Management Agency designated the land occupied by the showroom and adjacent storage building as a floodplain. The second storage building was not included in the designation.

"When they did that (designation), they devalued the property and that's when I joined the lawsuit," Thomas Krick said Wednesday as he worked to clear out the main building.

He said the buyout isn't as rosy as some may think. He had intended to continue leasing the buildings as an ongoing income for retirement. He also noted that taxes take a big chunk out of the amount he received from ODNR.

The family business was started at another location in Celina in 1956 by Thomas Krick's late father, Bob Krick. Thomas Krick began working in the shop during his high school years, he said.

He recalled the "big flood" in 2003 when about 6 inches of water filled the showroom. It was a scramble to move TVs, washer and dryers and other appliances to a safe, dry place, he said. The flood damage cost him about $40,000 and was not covered by insurance.

He eventually installed cement barriers around the main facility and built earthen dams to prevent future flooding inside the building.

According to Williams, no other purchase discussion are underway with any neighboring businesses including the Community Medical Center owned by Mercer Health and the former Breakaway RecPlex.

But he isn't ruling it out, he said.

"It's not out of the question," Williams said. "But at this point there are no negotiations going on."

Both facilities also were heavily damaged for the first time ever during the 2003 flood.

The medical center/urgent care facility sustained $1.5 million in flood damage during the devastating flood. Mercer Health's losses were reduced to less than $500,000 after state and federal aid payments.

Permanent cement water barriers were also installed at various entrances around the medical building. Sandbags are still used when floodwaters rise, as it did several weeks ago, and offices are moved to another location.

Mercer Health officials have not discussed moving from the satellite location along U.S. 127.

"I'm not sure what direction they (board members) might want to take," CEO Lisa Klenke said on Wednesday.

She noted there are many pros and cons to moving but said the idea isn't currently being considered.

Mercer Health has not sued the state for flood damage.

The former 21-acre Breakaway RecPlex on the west side of U.S. 127, along Beaver Creek, also was heavily damaged in the 2003 flood. The lower level, which included a swimming pool, was completely submerged, and 4 foot of water and sewage filled the first floor. The outdoor golf course also was destroyed.

The owner, the late Tom Case of Case Leasing & Rental, in 2005 filed a lawsuit against ODNR for $5.2 million and in 2008 was awarded $3.3 million. Court documents showed his repair loans were $5 million.

Case appealed the ruling and the court later lowered the award to $2.6 million.

The facility in recent years has been used for indoor soccer tournaments.