Ohio announces 2,277 structures set for demolition

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted have announced that 2,277 blighted and vacant structures in 42 counties will be demolished to pave the way for new economic development and housing opportunities across the state.

The buildings will be razed as part of  DeWine’s Ohio Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program. The administration created the program to help local communities demolish dilapidated commercial and residential buildings and revitalize surrounding properties to attract investments, businesses and jobs. 

“We’re not just tearing down dilapidated buildings; we’re helping to make communities across the state better places to start a business, raise a family and build a bright future,” DeWine says. “This isn’t just a win for 42 counties; it’s a win for all of Ohio.”

The projects announced on Dec. 6 are in addition to the 825 demolition projects announced in October. 

“This funding is helping our communities transform forgotten properties into productive spaces that can once again play an important role in growing our economy,” Husted says.

The demolition projects will be funded by Ohio Demolition and Site Revitalization Program set-aside grants announced for each county in July. Thirteen counties also will receive additional program funding totaling $35.3 million to cover expenses in excess of the initial grants.

In total, the Ohio Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program will award nearly $150 million in grants for projects across the state.

Examples of new projects funded in this round include those proposed by the:

Athens County Land Reutilization Corp.: The village of Glouster will demolish a dilapidated building that poses a potential danger to surrounding buildings, cars and pedestrians. Formerly a mill and flower shop, the current owner purchased the property to harvest wood from the inside but learned the building is unstable. Once demolished, surrounding parcel owners—including the village and local school district—have expressed interest in building on the property.

Auglaize County Board of Commissioners: The city of St. Marys will demolish blighted structures on the property of a wastewater treatment plant. Removal of these buildings will allow for the expansion of the plant so it can continue meeting the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s requirements and respond to demand caused by population growth.

Belmont County Land Reutilization Corp.: The Colerain Township Trustees will demolish an old post office that has been deemed uninhabitable and unsafe. Once demolished, the property will be used by a local nonprofit fire department to expand parking and training capabilities.

Hamilton County Land Reutilization Corp.: The Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority will demolish two former hotels—The Drake and The Carrousel—as part of a collaborative effort with multiple jurisdictions to reinvigorate the Reading Road Corridor. Following the demolition of the blighted properties, The Port plans to construct a speculative industrial building with the goal of finding an advanced manufacturing company to bring high-paying jobs to the community.

Lucas County Land Reutilization Corporation: Lucas County will demolish the former Rosemary Apartment building in Toledo. The blighted, seven-story structure has been vacant for at least 15 years and is as an eyesore and danger to residents and visitors. The site is adjacent to the Ottawa River and all parcels are within a designated floodplain. While there is limited future use for this property once demolished, ownership may be transferred to the city of Toledo for stormwater management.

Mahoning County Land Reutilization Corp.: Youngstown will demolish 473 vacant, badly blighted residential properties throughout the city to stabilize the housing market and revitalize neighborhoods. Once demolished, these lots will transition to greenspaces with potential plans to later develop the properties for housing, commercial and industrial use.

Medina County Port Authority: Medina County will demolish a former shoe repair building in downtown Medina. Once demolished, the Medina City Development Corp. plans to execute a ground lease with the Rose Co., which has proposed a $9.3 million mixed-use, four-story, 47,000-square-foot building. This project fits within the strategic plan goals to incorporate more housing to support small businesses downtown. In addition to housing, this project would include some commercial retail spaces.

The Building Demolition and Site Revitalization program is administered by the Ohio Department of Development and was created with the support from the Ohio General Assembly. The grants are funded as part of the 2021 state biennium budget bill, HB 110, which requires grants to be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Looking at the plans that some of our communities have for these sites, it’s clear there are numerous opportunities for growth,” Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik says. “Removing this blight has the potential to increase property values and revitalize local housing markets in addition to removing safety hazards and opening doors for more businesses to set up shop throughout the state.”

The Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program is part of Governor DeWine's Ohio BUILDS Initiative, which supports targeted solutions that improve quality of life, such as water infrastructure improvements, broadband expansion, brownfield redevelopment, the demolition of blighted buildings and more.