MOUNT VERNON — Another round of grant money is on its way to the Knox County Land Reutilization Corp., aka Knox County Land Bank.
The land bank applied for $230,000 in demolition money last fall through the Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program. Gov. Mike DeWine announced the award on Friday.
The grant covers the demolition of five properties. Contractors have already demolished four. The structure not yet demolished is 306 N. Jefferson St.
Maxwell Leaning, economic development coordinator for the Area Development Foundation, inspected the North Jefferson house twice. At last week’s Land Bank meeting, he recommended the board demolish it due to structural issues. A cost estimate is pending.
Leaning said the structure at 515 N. Sandusky, formerly used as a church, is three properties and includes two apartments on the second level and a partial basement. Water and utilities are disconnected.
He recommended demolishing the structure and creating a beautification project that includes better sight lines.
The land bank is getting demolition bids. Filkins said the contractor will approach the project from the back to preserve the new sidewalk on North Sandusky.
“We looked at other options, but it’s a triangle lot. We could build a house on it, but where would you put the front door? Where would you put a backyard?” Filkins asked. “It just doesn’t work.”
The organization also received $204,428 in brownfield remediation grants on June 30.
Projects covered include asbestos abatement at the New Hope Early Education building and assessing and possible asbestos abatement at the former Dana plant in Fredericktown.
Welcome Home Ohio homes: Columbus Road
The Land Bank has sold four properties in the joint Columbus Road workforce housing project with Habitat for Humanity of Knox County.
A fifth is scheduled, and the remaining seven are in contract.
The Land Bank and Habitat held dedication ceremonies for the four houses; more dedications are scheduled.
Referencing a recent Knox Pages article about home ownership, Filkins said, “We get really sexy things like the food hall or Heartland Commerce Park, but getting people into an affordable home is really the bread and butter of land banking. That’s the heart of what we do, and I’m really proud of that project.”
Welcome Home Ohio denied the Land Bank’s application for a previous round of grant money because it had not yet completed the Columbus Road project.
However, the next round of funding opens July 22. The Land Bank will apply for funding to build five to seven houses.
The Land Bank already owns two lots on North Sandusky Street, excluding the former church, and the North Jefferson parcel. The board is considering several other potential parcels.
Vibrant Communities Grant: 18 E. Vine St.
Now that the 18 E. Vine St. project is complete, the Land Bank can apply for the remaining $200,000 in Vibrant Communities grant funding.
Workers completed the roof repair at Founders Food Hall. The hall now offers the ability to combine orders from different kitchens into one bill.
The Land Bank plans to install a pay kiosk for the duck pin bowling. Currently patrons pay at the bar.
However, the food hall opens at 11 a.m. The bar is changing its hours and will no longer open that early.
“We pay a monthly fee, but we don’t have to pay anybody to manage it,” Filkins said of the kiosk.
Heartland Commerce Park
The contractor completed the aqueduct project on North Norton Street.
Filkins said crews will pave the road after the elevator is installed on the Knox County Transit building to avoid heavy equipment damaging new asphalt.
Recent demolitions include the power house at HCP and the former caretaker’s house on the fairgrounds.
