MANSFIELD, Ohio — The Richland County Land Reutilization Corporation was recently awarded $500,000 in Neighborhood Initiative Program funds for its efficiency in reducing blight in the community.
The RCLRC, which oversees the county land bank, is a nonprofit, government-purposed entity tasked to strategically acquire blighted properties and return them to productive use through sale to private owners, demolition, preparation for traditional economic development and creative reuse.
As a land bank partner in the NIP, a Hardest Hit Fund program operated by the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, the RCLRC was required to acquire at least 31 properties on or before Sept. 30.
The RCLRC exceeded this minimum by at least 130 percent, thereby qualifying for a $500,000 performance bonus.
The RCLRC now has close $1.6 million in NIP funds, enabling the organization to have an even greater impact on the community. To accommodate this funding, OHFA is extending the invoicing deadline to Oct. 31, 2017.
“The demolitions have to be done by the end of July 2017 and I have until October 2017 to get all of the paperwork in,” said land bank administrator Amy Hamrick during the RCLRC meeting Wednesday afternoon.
“I would think with all of the excavating companies and demo teams we have in this area we could easily accomplish that,” said Richland County Commissioner Tim Wert.
“With one hand tied behind our back,” added Richland County Treasurer and RCLRC Chairman Bart Hamilton.
In other news, the RCLRC obtained 501(c)3 status as of Oct. 19.
The board also approved a resolution to establish a greening committee to evaluate each site owned by the land bank to determine a greening plan that fits the neighborhood.
“We had talked about water retention, walk-through parks, possibly bus stops…,” Hamrick said. “Anything low maintenance, something that would help keep our maintenance costs down and benefit the community.”
Property updates
Park Avenue West: The board approved a motion to take ownership of the building located at 166 Park Avenue West and identify a qualified end-user that the property could be sold to.
The current property owner is willing to donate the building to the land bank in lieu of taxes, said Hamrick.
She said the structure of the building appears to be sound, but it’s full of black mold, she added.
Hamilton said people have expressed interest in the property, one of whom may be willing to take the property as is and renovate it, he said.
The renovation of this building may help with the sale of the adjacent building, Hamilton said.
Third Street and Granite Street vacant lots: The board approved two separate motions to take ownership of a property on Third Street and a property on Granite Street, both of which will be transferred to qualified owner occupants for $199 each plus recording fees.
Ernsberger Road: The board approved a motion to take ownership of a property on Ernsberger Road to be transferred to the highest bidder for $3,600 plus recording fees.
Hamrick said two applicants expressed interest in the property, one of whom bid $600 and the other bid $3,600.
South Foster Street: The board approved a motion to take ownership of two parcels of land on South Foster Street to be transferred to a qualified end user for $199 plus recording fees.
The next RCLRC meeting is Dec. 2 at 1 p.m. in the county law library meeting room.
