Real estate company plans to buy Tiger Rags building, redevelop site

Steven M. Grazier, The Independent
·2 min read
Massillon City Council delayed a plan Tuesday night that would have authorized public funds to tear down the former home of Howard's Tiger Rags, 125 Lincoln Way W, along with the adjacent building to the east. The issue is to be further considered Jan. 30.
Massillon City Council delayed a plan Tuesday night that would have authorized public funds to tear down the former home of Howard's Tiger Rags, 125 Lincoln Way W, along with the adjacent building to the east. The issue is to be further considered Jan. 30.

MASSILLON – A local real estate company has a deal in place to purchase the former Tiger Rags building and adjacent property to help proceed with the downtown demolition and future retail redevelopment.

The A. Altman Co. of Canton is in line to purchase the buildings and property at 125 Lincoln Way W and 129 Lincoln Way W from current owner James Rubin. A. Altman has agreed to buy the properties for $120,000, pending the demolition using a state grant.

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"In the end, the city of Massillon accomplishes its goal of having the buildings demolished, and will receive a new (retail) building producing income tax and real estate revenue," according to a Jan. 12 letter penned by Richard Altman, a managing partner of A. Altman.

"This will be a new development in downtown Massillon that each City Council member can say they were a part of; the redevelopment of the city," the letter states.

A. Altman is a fourth-generation, real estate business based in Canton that had assisted with the development of the Akron Children's Hospital facility on Lincoln Way E in Massillon.

Massillon council to further consider Tiger Rags demo proposal Jan. 30

On Tuesday night, council agreed 9-0 to postpone a final vote to Jan. 30 that aims to raze the former Howard's Tiger Rags building, 129 Lincoln Way W, and the adjoining structure to the east, 125 Lincoln Way W. Both have been on the city's demolition list for later this year.

Additional discussion on the issue is also planned for Jan. 30.

For weeks, City Council has been considering proposed legislation that would use state grant funding to demolish the two structures. The estimated cost to tear down the buildings is $160,000.

Council members had voiced hesitation on the notion of using public dollars to demolish privately owned buildings.

However, City Councilman Ed Lewis IV, R-at large, said Tuesday that Rubin presented a letter this week to the city, saying he is willing to fund the demolition and later be reimbursed via the state grant.

Some on council seemed more agreeable to passing the legislation based on Rubin's offer.

"Let's move this forward and get it done," said Councilman Mike Gregg, R-Ward 3.

Reach Steven at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On Twitter: @sgrazierINDE

This article originally appeared on The Independent: A. Altman Co. plans to buy Tiger Rags building, redevelop site