MOUNT VERNON — Work at 18 E. Vine St. has progressed to the point construction crews will remove the fencing and open the sidewalk next week.
Knox County Land Bank President Sam Filkins said contractors and the organization are in “punch-list time” for Mount Vernon Nazarene University’s lower-level academic hub.
“They’ve done the final clean of a handful of classrooms, and they’re ready for MVNU to move furniture in,” he said.
The Land Bank faces an unexpected expense as crews must replace a cracked sewer line between the building and its connection point in the alley.
Additionally, crews are working to solve a stormwater issue in the alley.
Upstairs, the framing and plumbing are complete, the electric is in, and the drywall is underway in Founders Food Hall. However, the windows in the four-season room are not operating to Filkins’ satisfaction.
Seventeen operators are interested in space in the food hall. They will tour the facility later this month.
Filkins anticipates operators can move in equipment in November, with the opening in January.
The Land Bank is working on getting a liquor license for the food hall.
A company has signaled its intent to occupy the office suite portion of the upper level. However, details are not final, and construction has not started.
Centerburg
Filkins met with Centerburg village officials about the green space at the site of the former In Town Restaurant. The Land Bank and village are negotiating a lease for the space.
The village’s revitalization committee plans to sell bricks to raise funds for a brick patio to hold picnic tables. The committee is still exploring other ideas for the site.
Demolition of Centerburg Respiratory is almost complete. The Village of Centerburg offered to pay the light bill since it is storing playground equipment on the lot and wants illumination to prevent theft.
According to Filkins, village officials will consider vacating a street that runs through the center of the property, provided no utilities are running through it and the Central Ohio Joint Fire District agrees.
However, they noted the request must come before the village council.
The property is zoned multi-family.
“There’s very little land available in Centerburg that’s zoned multi-family already, so we want to use it for what it’s known for,” Filkins said of the parcels’ ultimate use.
Columbus Road
The Land Bank plans to close soon on 47 Columbus Road, Habitat for Humanity’s first stick-built house.
A local home builder working on the Columbus Road project agreed to do six houses rather than four.
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Filkins said the Land Bank will request zoning variances for future homes. It has $30,000 in grant money for each house to add improvements such as garages, fences, and sidewalks.
However, the irregular lot sizes make it difficult to provide such improvements under Clinton Township’s current code.
“It’s important for us that we want to try to offer off-street parking. Even if it’s not in a garage, we want to at least have a place where they can pull off and have a place to park,” Filkins said.
301 Kimberly Drive
The Land Bank recently acquired 301 Kimberly Drive. According to Filkins’ research, it has been vacant since August 2010.
Workers will first remove the overgrown landscape, then turn their attention to the interior.
The interior is in dire need of rehabilitation, although board member Tyler Griffith said the house is salvageable.
“It’s got something we call potential. I think we can save it,” he said, adding that neighbors are excited someone is cleaning up the property.
“That is exactly why the Land Bank exists though, right? These neighbors have been sick about this property, and we go over there and everybody’s getting excited like thank you — it’s been 15 years of nothing.”
Heartland Commerce Park
The Heatland Commerce Park Property Owners Association will transition to a new board in August.
When the original POA board was formed, the Knox County Land Bank was the only owner, so it chose the board members. Owners who are current on paying their fees will choose the new board.
The recent parking lot improvement project in front of Habitat for Humanity’s main entrance has resulted in flooding into Habitat’s building. Filkins is meeting with the architect and contractor to resolve the issue.
Miscellaneous
•Board member Brian Ball suggested it is time the Land Bank fulfill a strategic plan, that of bringing a finance person on staff.
•The Land Bank is still waiting for the state to reimburse it $138,830 in demolition and brownfield expenses.
•Five Apple Valley lots the land bank acquired through Board of Revision hearings will go to sheriff’s sale on Aug. 15.
The Land Bank adjourned into executive session to discuss sales and acquisitions.
