COLUMBUS, OH -- Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik on Aug 7th, announced that more than 1,000 vacant, dilapidated buildings will be demolished to make room for new economic development in nine Ohio counties. 

The Ohio Department of Development is awarding $67.3 million in funding from the Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program to tear down 1,277 blighted structures in Butler, Clinton, Cuyahoga, Hamilton, Logan, Lucas, Muskingum, Preble, and Richland counties. 

Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted launched the Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program in 2021 to help communities demolish dilapidated commercial and residential buildings and revitalize surrounding properties to attract investments, businesses, and jobs. 

“These buildings are standing in the way of progress, so it's time to knock them down," said Governor DeWine. "Once these structures are gone, we expect to see new economic development opportunities coming into these neighborhoods." 

“These funds will enable our communities to turn forgotten properties into valuable assets that contribute to the modern economy,” said Lt. Governor Jon Husted. “This is an investment in the future of Ohio.”

MORE DETAILS: Full List of New Demolition Projects

The Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program is funded by the Ohio General Assembly as part of the current operating budget. ?All of Ohio's 88 counties were eligible for at least $500,000, with the remaining funds awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.? Additional grant recipients will be announced in the coming months. 

Since the launch of the program, the Ohio Department of Development has awarded more than $200 million in grants to support nearly 5,000 demolition projects in every county in the state.

“Seeing the plans that our communities have for these sites is inspiring,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Department of Development. “Removing blight can increase property values, revitalize housing markets, and eliminate safety hazards – paving the way for new businesses and opportunities.” 

Examples of newly funded projects include: 

• Butler County Land Reutilization Corporation: Fairfield will demolish buildings on multiple parcels of land, including an old restaurant, former hotel foundations, and approximately 20,000 square yards of parking lot space. Upon completion, this project will create a significant footprint for commercial development opportunities.  

• Cuyahoga County Land Reutilization Corporation: Widely seen as a local poster child for blight in the city of East Cleveland, a long-abandoned, 13-story high-rise apartment building will be demolished. Following demolition of the former 254-unit Huron Place Apartments, the site will remain with its current owner, who will determine its future use.  

• Lucas County Land Reutilization Corporation: Two blighted, vacant buildings in Sylvania, formerly the site of a banquet hall and clubhouse on a now-defunct golf course, will be demolished to make room for expanded use by the Toledo Metroparks and further natural resource restoration efforts.  

• Preble County Land Reutilization Corporation: A West Alexandria building will be demolished with the goal of redevelopment. This site has been a safety concern in the community for years, and a cleared lot will create opportunities for economic development. The owner plans to sell the property, and a housing development has been considered for this site upon project completion. 

• Richland County Land Reutilization Corporation: The demolition of a downtown Mansfield building several years ago led to the discovery of two underground storage caverns. As part of this new project, one of the caverns, which has caved in and is an extreme hazard, will be demolished. Upon completion of the project, the space will be converted into downtown parking.  

The Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program is part of Governor Mike DeWine's Ohio BUILDS Initiative, which focuses on supporting targeted solutions that impact quality of life, such as water infrastructure improvements, broadband expansion, brownfield redevelopment, and the demolition of blighted buildings.