Ross County Land Bank helping to demolish or rehab 28 buildings

CHILLICOTHE― The Ross County Land Bank received a state grant last year to demolish 28 buildings in Ross County.

According to Governor Mike DeWine's website, "The demolition projects will be funded as part of Governor DeWine's Ohio Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program, which was developed to help local communities tear down dilapidated commercial and residential buildings and revitalize surrounding properties to attract investments, businesses, and jobs."

Director of Planning and Development Asti Powell said the grant is being administered through the Ross County Land Bank through a partnership with the City of Chillicothe Building Department. She said the Land Bank received $629,800 to demo 28 blighted and vacant residential properties, including the Westerly Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Since receiving notices to demolish, Powell said several of the homes on the list have changed ownership, with the new owners starting the renovation process.

"This has been a great surprise as it puts more livable housing stock back into the community," Powell said. "Other properties that cannot be repaired will be demolished to eliminate blight and reduce the impact on services such as fire and police calls due to trespassing, criminal activity and nuisance complaints."

Once a property has been demolished and cleared, the property will be greened, meaning the basement will be filled in, if applicable, and the lawn will be seeded.

The grant money must be used by May, but the city applied for an extension so that grant money can be used until the end of June. Powell said the plan is to rehabilitate or demolish all of the properties before June.

Water Street properties:

143 E. Water Street: the property is resolved.

556 E. Water Street: demolition scheduled for the end of February.570 E. Water Street: the property is resolved.

Sugar Street properties:

174 N. Sugar Street: pending, expected to be demolished by the end of June.

190 - 194 N. Sugar Street: duplex that is being rehabbed.

85 Sugar Street: pending, expected to be demolished by the end of June.

91 Sugar Street: pending, expected to be demolished by the end of June.

Walnut Street properties:

21 N. Walnut Street: extension requested for rehabilitation.

240 S. Walnut Street: extension requested for rehabilitation.

Adams Street properties:

874 Adams Street: someone is attempting to acquire and renovate the property.

700 Adams Ave: ready for demolition.

Wade Street property:

27 Wade Street: former Chillicothe councilwoman Pat Patrick donated the property to be transformed into the 6th ward's first public park. The city is accepting comments and feedback on the park design until Feb. 28 at engage.Chillicotheoh.gov. The project is expected to be completed this year.

Second Street properties:

177 E. Second Street: pending, expected to be demolished by the end of June.

182 E. Second Street: Powell said the back half of this home was burnt by fire beyond repair. A partial demolition has been completed on the back half of the home on behalf of the Land Bank and the owner is rehabbing the front half of the home at his own expense.

394 E. Second Street: owners have requested an extension to make repairs. According to Powell, the property has been taken by new owners who are expected to request an additional extension.

565 E. Second Street: owner is rehabbing the property.

575 E. Second Street: pending, expected to be demolished by the end of June.

Bellview Avenue Properties:

124 Belleview Ave: pending, expected to be demolished by the end of June.

124 Belleview Avenue: pending, expected to be demolished by the end of June.

Columbus Street property:

882 Columbus Street: the property is resolved.

Elm Street property:

296 Elm Street: pending, expected to be demolished by the end of June.

Northview Drive property:

247 Northview Drive: pending, expected to be demolished by the end of June.

Mulberry Street property:

258 S. Mulberry Street: extension requested for rehabilitation.

Main Street property:

631 E. Main Street: the property is resolved.

Carsile Street property:

85 Carlisle Street: ready for demolition. Powell said the Land Bank is looking at how to best access the property because it is on the side of a hill.

Ewing Street property:

101 Ewing Street: has potential buyers.

Fifth Street property:

161 W. Fifth Street: extension requested for rehabilitation.

Sixth Street property:

128 W. Sixth Street: the property owner demolished the property himself.

Seventh Street property:

73 W. Seventh Street: pending, expected to be demolished by the end of June.

Megan Becker is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. Call her at 740-349-1106, email her at mbecker@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @BeckerReporting

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Ross County Land Bank helping to demolish or rehab 28 homes