MEDINA, Ohio — City officials have ended their discussions with the Masons to buy the historic Masonic Temple across the street from City Hall and Medina Municipal Court.

After council set aside $250,000 in November to buy the temple and theater at 141 W. Liberty Street, the local Mason leadership changed. The proposal the new leaders sent to the city included "numerous changes, including an increase in price," Mayor Dennis Hanwell said.

"We felt we had made our last, best offer. All seven members of council felt the offer was a completed deal and was fairly negotiated for nearly a year. As a result of the change in contract and leadership, council voted Jan. 13 to repeal the ordinance authorizing the purchase."

Two leaders of the local Masons did not respond to requests for comment.

Under the previous contract, the city had six months to analyze the building before finalizing the purchase.

"We would have looked at either renovating it for a new municipal court, tearing it down to build a new courthouse or doing something in between to preserve some of the historical features, like the facade," Hanwell said.

The 23,200-square-foot building -- 10,000 square feet larger than the courthouse -- was constructed in stages between 1914 and 1949 and is on the National Historic Registry.

It is still used periodically by the Masons and other groups that rent it. The city last took a look at it in 2011, when some asbestos was found.

The land and building are valued at $368,470, according to the county auditor. It was valued at nearly $382,000 last year.