ASHLAND — Much can be overlooked amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.
One thing Ashland Mayor Matt Miller brought attention to during City Council’s meeting Tuesday was the city’s progress on cleaning up blight around the community.
“We really haven’t acknowledged the fact that while all the holiday festivities have been taking place and the temperatures have been dropping and the snow has been falling, we have been getting rid of more and more blight in our community,” he said.
In September, the Ohio Department of Development awarded Ashland just north of $1 million toward the demolition of 12 vacant or blighted properties — including nine houses, two vacant industrial properties and one commercial property.
Not all of the 12 properties funded with grant money require a match from Ashland.
“But those that do will be covered by the city, the land bank or by the private property owner, depending on the project,” Miller said in September.
He did not know when each demolition would be completed, but some have already been demolished, the mayor said.
In that case, the grant money will act as a reimbursement.
Former Pump House thrift store among those demolished
Miller elaborated on two significant demolitions during Tuesday’s meeting, which he said “kind of happened without any fanfare.”
First discussed by the mayor was the demolition of the former Pump House thrift store.
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.
“That building is down and that of course was covered by this state grant, so no local funds were required for that,” he said. “That sets the stage for the future development of that area, which we’re calling the Pump House District.”
Vision Development, a Columbus development firm, plans to build an apartment complex in the area.
“According to the president of Vision Development, that project should move forward ‘Full steam ahead,’ he said here in 2025,” Miller said.
Demolition of former Pioneer National Latex site
Another demolition project Miller highlighted Tuesday was the old manufacturing portion of the former Pioneer National Latex site at 246 E. Fourth St.
Pioneer National Latex shut its doors by the end of 2023.
Demolition of the site’s manufacturing portion officially began Tuesday. The work is being completed by Simonson Construction.
“Once it’s all cleaned up, the new portions of that National Latex facility and complex will be kept and maintained,” Miller said. “The office building, which is probably the best looking of all of the complex, it will also be preserved.
“Right now, a local entrepreneur is working on repurposing that for a new business. It’s just another step in revitalizing that whole Fourth Street area that we’re calling the Pump House District.”
In September, the mayor declined to provide details on the tenant’s vision for the building, only providing “It’s a ‘sweet’ one” as a hint.
