White Butterfly Owners Seek Resolution to Dispute Over City-Owned Mural Wall in Corry

Corry City Council heard concerns from the owners of the White Butterfly building on North Center Street during its October 12 work session, as they called for progress on a long-running dispute involving the deteriorating wall that displays the Climax Engine mural.

Attorney Anthony “Buzz” Andrezeski, representing property owner Lorrie Kostreba, told council the issue has been ongoing since at least 2024. Although the exterior wall is owned by the city, it is attached to the privately owned building at 26 North Center Street, which houses the White Butterfly business.

Andrezeski outlined several recent attempts to resolve the matter, including a meeting with city representatives on August 6. He said the property owners had expected to meet with City Administrator Joanne Smith but that the city sent the city clerk to take notes instead.

Andrezeski said he later contacted the city solicitor on September 3 because he had not received answers to issues raised during the meeting. He said received another email on September 30 indicating that Smith was occupied with other matters and that the city clerk would be handling the issue.

“The city has made an offer to the Kostrebas that is insufficient considering it is part of their livelihood,” Andrezeski told council. He said the owners submitted a counteroffer but had not received a response.

Andrezeski warned that pursuing legal action could become costly for the city, saying he hoped the parties could reach an agreement without further escalation.

“I would like to come to some conclusion and some affable resolve to this,” he said.

Owner says condemnation has been discussed

Kostreba told council the prolonged uncertainty has affected her business and left her concerned about the building’s future.

She said she was made aware in December 2025 that the city had discussed condemning the property. Kostreba said the possibility had remained a concern for her as the wall’s condition continued to deteriorate.

“I understand that I probably am not going to be able to stay there or stay in business there, but I want to settle as soon as possible,” she said.

Kostreba also questioned why emergency repair work she understood had been approved earlier in the year had not been completed. She said she had requested the latest engineering report through a Right-to-Know request but had not yet received it, despite having seen three earlier reports.

The city has previously identified safety concerns involving the wall. UC Today reported earlier this year that the city was pursuing repairs and working with the property owner as it considered options for addressing the deterioration.

In March, council approved a $3,000 masonry restoration project for the wall at 26 North Center Street. The work, assigned to Fiske & Sons Inc., was intended as a short-term stabilization measure to address deterioration, with funding coming from an existing contracted services line item in the general fund.

During the October 12 discussion, Mayor Jeffrey Fike said a repair quote had been received but described it as being for work that was not temporary and said the cost was extremely high. The meeting discussion did not clarify whether that quote referred to the same work covered by the March approval or to a different repair proposal.

Council declines to discuss private negotiations

Public commenter Joy Polcaster questioned whether condemning the building could create additional problems for neighboring properties by exposing adjoining walls. She also asked whether condemnation would necessarily mean the building had to be demolished or whether a future owner could potentially repair it.

Fike said the city was not discussing the matter in detail because Kostreba was represented by legal counsel and the negotiations were private.

“There are a lot of work things that go into all the considerations of that wall and the building,” Fike said. “It’s very complicated.”

Following the discussion, Councilman William Roche requested an executive session for legal purposes. Fike agreed to the request.