By Stephen Smoot
Several months after fire severely damaged the Sunset Ellis Restaurant and Drive In, and also the subsequent start of efforts by Harrison County to purchase the property, a major decision remains on what to do with the iconic screen structure on US Route 19.
Trey Simmerman, Attorney for Harrison County, provided an update on the theater screen to inform the County Commission about its options regarding it. Complicating the issue is the desire of the property owner to retain “lifetime rights” to the ground floor of the theater screen and also the County’s agreement to accept the property “as is.”
He shared that expert analysis of the theater screen structure revealed “failures” in the upper section of the screen.
Commissioner David Hinkle revealed the cost breakdown of each option open to the Commission.
He shared that it would cost at least $425,000 to repair the 164 foot tall screen for continued use as before, $230,000 to remove the failed section and have a reduced size screen, $180,000 to remove the screen entirely and preserve the residence beneath, or $100,000 to demolish the entire structure.
Hinkle then shared another option that would cost the County nothing, saying “let’s give it another three years. In a few more winters it will come down.”
This would leave responsibility for the screen in the hands of the property owner.
Discussion next turned to what amount of buffer zone would allow the screen to come down naturally without menacing County property. Hinkle suggested a 100 foot buffer, which Simmerman deemed insufficient.
Commissioner Patsy Trecost noted that when the screen did collapse, it could potentially fall on US 19 itself. Simmerman also pointed out a threat to nearby power lines.
Simmerman stated that the County could offer help in the future to that property owner to repair or demolish. Hinkle warned, however, that repairs to the screen would likely cost twice as much as currently estimated and said “we’ve got a lot more pressing projects, the rail Trail, parks . . .”
Trecost added “the Airport” and said later “I don’t want any more tax dollars going into that. We’ve made a very good offer. We’ve got a very good project.”
He also emphasized that no matter how large the buffer zone needed, that it would be unwise to change the monetary offer to the current owner.
The County Attorney suggested that the best course of action would be to close on the property and have County Administrator Laura Pysz-Laulis to create a radius to ensure safety.
Commissioners then passed a motion to explain to the current owner that the County has no interest in the parcel with the screen and will seek to purchase the rest of the property with a suitable safety buffer in place.
