TORONTO — Toronto Council Sept. 8 received an update on the future of the Cooper Building site now that the three-story building has been razed.

Crews worked for several days in August to remove the three-story structure, which had been home to the Cooper Hardware Store and the Francy Department Store during its 139-year history, but had fallen into disrepair.

Its removal leaves a 9,600-square-foot lot at the corner of North Third and Market streets, with a large portion of its foundation still visible below the street level.

Council members asked Mayor John Parker about the site’s status.

Parker earlier announced plans to pursue funds to create an amphitheater there and has secured $13,000 from the Jefferson County commissioners’ recreation fund for the project while continuing to seek other money.

He told council he is waiting on the transfer of the property to the city from the Jefferson County Land Bank, which acquired the property with that intention.

The county agency paid about $121,700 for Moderalli Excavating of Poland, Ohio, to raze it and $54,999 for Raze International of Shadyside for asbestos abatement.

Parker said he plans to meet with heads of the city’s water and sewer departments to discuss utility connections there.

Also questioned about the task of filling and leveling the remaining pit, Parker said that will wait until it’s determined what form the amphitheater takes.

He said the stage or seating could be placed below street level, though handicap access must be considered.

Parker said he’s sought input from a man who handles the sound systems for area concerts while adding an architect will be hired to plan the project.

The mayor confirmed he’s often been concerned about people attending concerts at the nearby Gazebo Commons being seated in lawn chairs on the adjacent street, though that section of the street has been closed for those events.

Council President Frank McEwen asked if a tall fence surrounding the demolition site will remain.

The mayor said the fence was rented from the contractor for 30 days only, and he will find a local vendor to replace it.

In other business, Parker was asked if street paving has been completed for the year.

R&R Paving of Lisbon was hired for about $375,000 to pave all or part of North Fourth, North Third, Henry, Irene and Findley streets and Bell Avenue.

Councilman at large Mike Burkey asked if the remainder of Findley could be paved.

Parker said an asphalt plant supplying the contract will close soon, but he’s looking at applying concrete to it and some other streets, pending available funds.

In other business, Burkey said a meeting of council’s safety committee earlier that evening to discuss a proposed ordinance for utility task vehicles was productive, with some changes expected to be made to the first draft.

City Police have suggested the ordinance is needed to address safety issues arising with their use on city streets.

City Police Chief Charley Daniels said it applies to vehicles used for hauling, plowing snow and performing other tasks and not all-terrain vehicles used primarily for recreation.

It defines a UTV as a motorized vehicle with not less than four and not more than eight non-highway tires, a bucket seat or bench not intended to be straddled by the driver, and a steering wheel. It notes ATVs generally equipped with a handlebar for control.

If approved, the ordinance would require owners to obtain two-year permits and show proof of insurance to use them on city streets, which would be issued pending the acquisition of a state-issued license plate required for the vehicles to be driven on any public roadway in Ohio.

The license plates are obtained through the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Daniels said the permits and license plates are key to enforcing laws and regulations for the vehicles, allowing police to more easily identify their owners when a violation occurs.

Council is expected to consider the ordinance at its next regular meeting at 7 p.m. Monday.