MOUNT VERNON — The four houses in the Knox County Land Bank’s South Vernon project are progressing well, and land bank officials expect to sell them to families in April.
Land Bank Vice President Sam Filkins said students finished most of the interior walls on the two Habitat for Humanity Knox County houses. A certified worker through Habitat will install the electric and plumbing, with Knox County Career Center students observing and learning.
The local home builds on Marion and Monroe streets are weatherproof. Work can begin on the interior.
The four houses are part of a 12-house joint project between the land bank and Habitat. The Welcome Home Ohio program awarded $2.46 million for the project.
Under the grant requirements, the land bank will use the money to buy the 12 houses from the builders. It will then sell the houses to the families.
Habitat has paid construction costs so far and is asking for $50,000 each for the four houses under construction.
The Welcome Home Ohio grant is a reimbursement grant.
“Until I sell the property to the family, I can’t get reimbursed for it,” Filkins explained. “So we’re going to be out-of-pocket for quite a lot of money.”
He estimates the organization’s outlay before reimbursement is about $1.1 million. Although the land bank’s cash position stands around $3.7 million, it faces significant expenses on the 18 E. Vine St. project.
Filkins is working with the Knox County Foundation on a loan so that the land bank does not have to use all its cash.
“I’m trying not to over earmark all of our funds, just to give us a little buffer,” he said.
Next steps
The land bank has to use the $2.4 million by April 2026. In addition to the four houses underway, Habitat and a local home builder will each build two more.
The remaining four will be stick-built modular homes. Filkins said he received estimates, sketches, and designs from three modular builders. Habitat is reviewing the documents.
Filkins noted the initial grant funds 12 houses, but the land bank will recycle the sales proceeds and build more. Additionally, indications are the state legislature will continue the program in the next budget.
If so, the land bank will apply for more funding.
Filkins noted the first 12 houses were easy to build because the Foundation Park Conservancy donated the land.
“The next challenge would be finding lots if we do this again,” he said, adding that the land bank can renovate or buy a house under the grant.
“But currently they only give you $30,000 to renovate, and for the houses we need, we get need way more than $30,000.”
City engineer and land bank board member Brian Ball said the city is working on a joint city-Clinton Township project to get grant funding for a water line on Crystal Avenue.
If that occurs, it opens up vacant lots for housing.
Miscellaneous land bank activities
•Crews installed electric, insulation, and plumbing on the lower level and should finish hanging drywall next week at 18 E. Vine St. Crews are also working on leveling the floor. Bids for the upper level are due next week.
•Demolitions include a trailer on Salem Road in Fredericktown and the brick house at 404 N. Sandusky St.
•Acquisitions include the former Centerburg Respiratory Care facility, and the land bank is evaluating its best use. The acreage includes seven buildable lots and is zoned multi-family.
•The land bank also bought the grass lots on the corner of West High and Mulberry streets.
Heartland Commerce Park
The asbestos remediation that a brownfield grant funded at Heartland Commerce Park is complete. Two buildings did not require remediation; however, they require annual inspection.
Workers should install the HCP sign on the corner wall at Sandusky and Chestnut soon. The next step is to install panels for individual company signs.
The land bank plans a ribbon-cutting ceremony for spring.
