Jerrod KingeryOhio is investing nearly $50 million for brownfield cleanup and building demolition across the state.
The funding is being awarded by the Ohio Department of Development through both the Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program and the Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program.
The goal of these programs is to create new economic opportunities in areas where either contamination or vacant, dilapidated structures are standing in the way.
This announcement marks the fifth round of funding for both programs.
Following site remediation, these properties can be redeveloped to revitalize neighborhoods and attract new economic development.
This latest brownfield remediation funding announcement allots $16.2 million to clean up and redevelop hazardous brownfield sites in 31 counties.
One of those projects includes funding for the demolition and remediation of the Fredericksburg School in Wayne County.
The structure, built in 1891, has been deemed unsafe due to its age and the presence of asbestos and lead paint.
The site will be prepared for the construction of a new South Central Fire Department once the hazards are remediated and the school is demolished.
Since the launch of the Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program, nearly $470 million has been awarded to support 426 brownfield remediation and assessment projects in 84 counties across the state.
The demolition and revitalization grants announced total $33.1 million and will be used to demolish 341 buildings in five counties.
That includes demolition of the Reeves Building in Warren, a longtime eyesore that is also public health and safety risk.
Its demolition will allow for new economic development opportunities in downtown Warren.
The Ohio Demolition and Site Revitalization Program has awarded over $233 million to support more than 5,000 demolition projects in every county in the state since the launch of the program.
Photo courtesy Nyttend, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
