ASHLAND — Ashland has been awarded just north of $1 million toward the demolition of 12 vacant or blighted properties.
A press release from the state’s Department of Development (ODOD) announced Ashland would receive $1,009,632 to demolish nine houses, two vacant industrial properties and one commercial property.
Below is the list of properties to be demolished:
- 1456 Troy Road
- 213 Vine St.
- 246 E. Fourth St. (former Pioneer National Latex site)
- 32 W. 10th St.
- 329 Dorchester St.
- 341 Cleveland Ave.
- 345 Orange St. (former Pump House thrift store)
- 511 W. Liberty St.
- 575 W. 16th St.
- 619 Union St. (former Caraustar Industries site)
- 622 Chestnut St.
- 803 Union St.
“It’s good news — very good news,” said Ashland Mayor Matt Miller.
The city’s economic development office, Grow Ashland, partnered with the Ashland County Land Reutilization Corporation (better known as the Ashland land bank) in late 2023.
Funds are flowing from ODOD’s latest round in the Ohio Demolition and Site Revitalization grant program. Ashland’s list of properties are 12 of 341 green lighted across the state.
‘Good to clean it up’
“By investing in these sites, we’re giving these areas a fresh start,” Gov. Mike DeWine said. “We developed these programs to turn areas of neglect into places of hope and opportunity for businesses and families alike.”
Miller echoed the sentiment.
He said the Caraustar and Pioneer National Latex buildings represent the city’s two last “obsolete industrial properties” to deal with in Ashland’s downtown area.
“They are nearly impossible to find new occupants because of their age and condition,” he said.
Pioneer National Latex, which shut its doors by the end of 2023, has a tenant — unofficially, Miller said. The plan for that site is to raze the unused factory for a new use.
He declined to provide details on the tenant’s vision for the building, only providing “It’s a ‘sweet’ one” as a hint.
The property at 345 Orange St. has been in the city’s possession since 2020. It used to house Revivals Thrift Store, which now operates out of a suite along Amberwood Parkway.
Miller said the building’s demolition will create room for Vision Development’s planned project to build an apartment complex in the area.
The mayor said the Caraustar property has deteriorated.
“It’ll be good to clean it up,” he said.
When the land bank discussed the list of properties to be included in the state’s grant application, former board member Kent McGovern shared a concern that no sites from villages and townships appeared.
Miller said there were no projects submitted as part of the grant.
“But the land bank won’t turn down any demolition projects … as long as they are legitimate projects that fit our mission, we’ll take care of it,” he said, noting several ongoing projects in places like Jeromesville, Hayesville and Nova.
Explaining the ODOD grant
A total of $150 million was made available in the state’s biennium budget. Each county in Ohio qualified for up to $500,000 of no-match grants.
Leftover money was competitive, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. The leftover monies also required a 25% match of local funds.
Miller said not all of the 12 properties getting funded with grant money require a match.
“But those that do will be covered by the city, the land bank or by the private property owner, depending on the project,” he said.
The mayor did not know when the demolitions would be completed. However, some have already been demolished, he said. In that case, the grant money will act as a reimbursement.