Demolition Dollars

Published 5/15/13

Attorney General Mike DeWine announces the launch of a new grant program, “Moving Ohio Forward”, to assist communities in their economic recovery by removing blighted or abandoned structures to reclaim our neighborhoods.  Recognizing the economic hardships facing local governments, the Attorney General will not require a match for up to the first $500,000 allocated to each County.

http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Foreclosure

According to the Highland County Press the amounts going to area counties are :

Highland County – $292,931;
• Adams County – $121,607;
• Brown County – $328,464;
• Clinton County – $288,752;
• Pike County – $101,266; and,
• Ross County – $384,442.

http://highlandcountypress.com/Main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=73&ArticleID=13893

Clinton County’s share is augmented by an $83,000 Federal grant, as noted in the 5/14/13 News Journal. In the same article the Mayor suggested that the city might contribute some money to demolition if the federal grant falls short of the funds required.

The commissioners have bid out $202,000 of the state grant’s  $289,000 allocation for eight properties. This works out to $25,250 per property.

Wilmington’s request for $50,000 of the federal grant for three properties averages $17,000 per property.

Question: Should property owners cede their post demolition vacant lots to the county/city in partial repayment to the taxpayer supported demolition funds used to improve that property? Some of these distressed properties have delinquent tax assessments pending.

Paul Hunter paulhunter45177@gmail.com