By Erin Beck
Editor
During an executive session following the City Council meeting Jan. 10, City Council members approved a plan for a new public parking lot.
In an interview, Shinnston City Manager Chad Edwards said they agreed to purchase the house on Charles Street next to Gibby’s Ice Cream and Grill.
Edwards said Gibby’s owner had purchased that house, which contains asbestos, possibly not anticipating the financial burden. If the owner of Gibby’s gets rid of the asbestos and tears down the property, the city agreed to put in a public parking lot. Edwards acknowledged that probably mainly Gibby’s customers would park there.
He said that following executive session, City Council members authorized him to make that deal but gave him no set cost guidelines. He estimated the city would pay $6,000.
The Secretary of State website lists Kristi Barnard of Shinnston as the owner of Gibby’s.
