In November 2013, Mansfield’s citizens passed the City P.R.I.D.E. levy, which increased the income tax by a quarter percent. The increase equates to $3 million per year and $12 million over a period of four years, and demolitions are one of five City P.R.I.D.E. items in the budget.
Demolition will receive 20 percent of the tax revenues, which equates to $600,000, and it has been estimated that each demolition project runs $9,000.
Community Development for Mansfield continues on a track to improve the community. The Moving Ohio Forward initiative began on January 1, 2013, and, along with other grants and funds, boasts 180 total demolitions for 2013. The demolitions were made possible by funds raised by the Moving Ohio Forward initiative, Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) grants, Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), and private funds.
According to an Executive Summary completed by Richland County Treasurur Bart Hamilton, Richland County has 299 properties on the current demolition list. “It is estimated for every one property on the demolition list, two need to be added,” he wrote. Below is a list of fund allocations for 2014.
- The Mansfield City levy passed in November will support approximately 62 demolitions at $600,000.
- Community Development Block Grant for Mansfield (CDBG) for 2013-2014 will fund approximately 18 demolitions at $192,000.
- Richland County Land Bank will fund approximately 20 demolitions at $200,000.
However, not all 299 properties on the demolition list for Richland County will be demolished in the coming year; and these funds have not always been available, according to Community Development Manager Don Mitchell.
“Moving Ohio Forward went into affect on January 1, 2013. It was highly needed and highly successful and it only works because everyone was on the same page and we worked together to make it happen,” said Mitchell.
There is an estimated 1,600 units in Richland County that need to be demolished due to safety concerns. In an effort to continue to demolish dangerous buildings, the Community Development Office for Mansfield published a documented journal, which includes the Executive Summary, quoted above, to keep record of all current and future demolition projects.
Mansfield is the second city in the country for publishing foreclosures, which, according to Mitchell, will help in receiving financial support in the future.
“The one thing we’ve learned is that grant opportunities have a very short window of application time. Many communities, over the years, can’t apply for the grants because they don’t have the information. Let’s gather the information now, so when the opportunity for a grant comes along, we have the required information,” said Mitchell.
The Community Development Office will be receiving monies to move forward with demolition projects in the near future. In the meantime, Mitchell and others from Community Development scout neighborhoods frequently to find other vacant and dangerous houses.
Residents can suggest structures that may need torn down by contacting the Community Development Office at 419-755-9795.
