MOUNT VERNON — The state has awarded the Knox County Land Bank $421,801 in demolition money through Gov. Mike DeWine’s Demolition and Site Revitalization Program.
The money is a reimbursement grant, meaning the land bank incurs the cost and submits it for reimbursement.
The demolition money covers 11 sites. Six of the sites have been demolished for $232,768.
Five demolitions are upcoming:
•27 N. Hartford Ave., Centerburg
•404 N. Sandusky St., Mount Vernon
•205 W. Vine St., Mount Vernon
•6 Chestnut St., Mount Vernon
•406 Johnson Ave., Clinton Township
The land bank bought 404 N. Sandusky last month for $60,500 and will demolish it in December. Demolition of the building on North Hartford Avenue is slated for March 2025. The West Vine location is part of Knox Public Health’s expansion project.
“Johnson Avenue is an abandoned home in Clinton Township,” Filkins explained. “We don’t own it, but it is an awful structure.
“We’re happy we had a little bit of extra funds to be able to do that project.”
Filkins said the city of Mount Vernon is a party to the demolition money grant for 6 E. Chestnut St.
“We are working to give the money to the city. If they use the money for what they applied for, great. If they don’t, then it will come back to us to redistribute to other projects,” Filkins said.
Relating to finances, the land bank repaid a $250,000 loan from the Area Development Foundation. The ADF loaned the land bank the money to cover start-up expenses.
Additionally, the land bank has $3.45 million in a money market account. It will use some of that to cover upcoming site demolitions.
Land bank operations
Filkins reported that the two Habitat for Humanity houses on Columbus Road are under roof and are progressing well.
Two local contractor constructions are in the permitting stage, and the land bank will put down payments on the modular builds by the end of the year.
Crews framed the restroom and installed plumbing last week at 18 E. Vine St.
Work slated for next week includes installing lintels and cutting holes for windows. Crews will start near the Terrace Apartments.
“They’ll cut windows and put windows in, and then the brick folks will fall right behind and they’ll just rack the whole building,” Filkins explained. “They’re going to put spray foam insulation on what’s there because there is currently no insulation in the building and then build a brick facade. It’s going to be full brick.”
Crews will complete the drywall by the end of the month. Filkins said they are on pace for the final inspection in April.
Heartland Commerce Park
A Heartland Commerce Park sign was installed at the Sugar Street entrance between the administration building and Plant 1.
Final work on the parking lot between the administration and Habitat for Humanity buildings will have to wait until spring.
According to Filkins, when crews started grinding off the asphalt, they discovered previous crews laid the asphalt on top of the soil without laying down a base.
“At this point, instead of trying to dig the whole parking lot up, compact it, and put asphalt up before it got cold, they’re going do that in the spring,” he said.
Filkins will coordinate with Habitat officials to accommodate them during the delay.
The Environmental Protection Agency modified requirements relating to the power house building.
The epoxy on the floor has popped up and requires fixing within 72 hours. However, since no one goes in that building, and plans are to demolish it, the EPA agreed to forego requiring the land bank to lay new epoxy provided it posts signs and has minimal people enter.
The land bank is applying for brownfield funds to demolish the power house.
The city received bids for the water line project north of HCP. City Engineer and land bank member Brian Ball said the city will choose a contractor the week of Nov. 11.
However, crews will not begin work immediately to allow time for other crews to complete their work.
