MOUNT VERNON — The Knox County Land Bank unveiled an ambitious, $6.5 million vision for the former Mount Vernon News building at 18 E. Vine St.
“Changing the facade was the No. 1 priority,” said Sam Filkins, vice president of the land bank. “It will get a huge face lift. The two developers previously interested did not include fixing facades, only the office space.”
In addition to a face lift, plans call for adding a second story featuring 12 residential units sold and operated through a homeowners association. Eight two-bedroom and four one-bedroom loft-style condominiums will open onto a 1,739-square-foot courtyard.
“The building has a concrete bunker that is very solid, which is good for us to build up,” Filkins said.
The first floor will be reconfigured for four retail tenants. The basement level will be open space conducive for a community organization, maker space, or light manufacturing company.
“This obviously is the big vision, what we would love to see. But it will take a lot to get there,” Filkins said.
“We are not committing to this if we can’t make it happen,” added land bank president Jeff Gottke.
The land bank will apply in February for a $2 million Vibrant Community Grant through Jobs Ohio. The grant is designed specifically for rural county seats in Ohio. The land bank will find out in late spring 2022 whether it gets the grant.
“We are positioned well for that, but it is very competitive,” Filkins said.
Part of the application process includes technical drawings. Filkins said the land bank has a planning grant to cover the technical specs and a consultant’s help to write the grant. He declined to state the source or amount of the grant as the details are not yet finalized. The technical specs are about 70% complete.
The land bank will winterize the building at an estimated cost of $2,000. To offset that cost, the land bank will not have a water/wastewater bill to pay and will lower the electric bill by reducing the power level in the building.
The land bank will still pay stormwater fees on the parcel. Filkins said the planning grant will cover these carrying costs.
In addition to the $2 million grant, Filkins said the project requires an anchor tenant in the lower level space.
“It will take support from local leaders and the community, too,” he said of the multi-year project. “We can’t do it without all hands on deck.”
Parking for residents and tenants is anticipated to be across from the building in the former News parking lot on Gay Street.
“This doesn’t work if we don’t get the Mount Vernon News parking lot,” Filkins said.
Regarding other land bank property, the land bank has listed the house at 401 N. Main St. for sale through Realtor Sibley Poland. Realtors were invited to submit bids for representing the property; the land bank board accepted Poland’s proposal.
The 4,300-square-foot home, listed at $345,000, served as the guest house for Cooper-Cameron. The land bank received the deed to the property in October.
The land bank board approved two short-term leases for space in Cooper Progress Park. One is in conjunction with a local event, the other is a five-day event in 2022. Filkins declined to state the entities as the leases are not yet signed.
On the land bank’s Shellmar parcel, the board approved spending up to $50,000 to Smith Paving to move dirt to bring part of the acreage out of the flood plain. Filkins said the city has indicated interest in putting some ARPA money (American Rescue Plan Act) toward the project.
Two companies are interested in purchasing lots in the Shellmar development. Dirt moving will be done by Thanksgiving.
The land bank is in contract to buy 303 N. Norton St. Plans call for the house to be demolished. The land bank owns the vacant lot at 301 N. Norton St.
