Land bank still looking for funding for Novelty Advertising building
COSHOCTON − Whether the Coshocton County Land Reutilization Corporation, commonly known as the land bank, will take possession of the former Novelty Advertising building still up in the air.
In June, Coshocton County Treasurer Janette Donaker said an anonymous donation had been proposed to the land bank by a potential buyer for the 2.17-acre property at 1148 Walnut St. Donaker said the interest was in vacant land part of the property and not the building or the portion it sits on.
In November 2021, the property and much of the contents were sold at auction. The listing stated the building was comprised of 13,900 square feet of warehouse space, 15,850 square feet of manufacturing space and 7,700 square feet of office space, with an additional 2 acres of land for possible expansion.
While the possible new owner wanted a prompt answer, land bank members felt they needed to do their due diligence on the building first to see if it was a project they could tackle regarding costs, including possible demolition. They haven't heard from the potential new owner since the initial offer.
The land bank has another former industrial site in its portfolio it's working on securing demolition funding for, the former Custom Glove factory at 421 S. Fifth St. The land bank took possession in April 2022 and an environmental review completed by BJAAM Environmental of Canal Fulton at the start of the year estimated the total project at $1.13 million. This includes $45,000 of administration and in-kind matches from the land bank.
In June, Coshocton Port Authority Director Tiffany Swigert said it was hoped they could apply leftover funding from the Ohio Department of Development Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program to work at Custom Glove. At the last meeting, she said it couldn't cross with Brownfield Remediation Program funding for the site. However, more money is being put into that program and it's possible the Novelty Advertising building could receive funding from it.
The land bank will continue researching grant funding for the Novelty Advertising building and get an estimate on demolition and remediation in case it might come into possession of it.
"I don't want to hold another property, but we have the most leverage to actually fix it at some point," said board member Mayor Mark Mills.
Swigert said all structures are down from the building demolition program funding and there's close to $300,000 of $500,000 left. They have a wait list of 18 structures and Swigert believes they could raze about 12 more with the money. She has commitments for four structures from three property owners to demolish already.
"We've tried to do major routes where we think there is possibility for redevelopment or if it will make a big visual impact in the area," Swigert said.
Buildings must be vacant and blighted. They can be residential or commercial. The land owner must sign an agreement for work to be done. The land bank is still accumulating potential projects and one can contact Swigert at the port authority for more information at 740-622-7005.
Leonard Hayhurst is a community content coordinator and general news reporter for the Coshocton Tribune with more than 15 years of local journalism experience and multiple awards from the Ohio Associated Press. He can be reached at 740-295-3417 or llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com. Follow him on Twitter at @llhayhurst.
This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Land bank still looking for funding for Novelty Advertising building
