SHELBY — A long-planned project to remove vacant buildings and clean up four parcels near downtown Shelby has finally been funded.
Near the end of November, the Ohio Department of Development awarded a $657,500 grant to the Richland County Land Bank for a demolition and remediation project at the corner of Broadway and Main streets.
The buildings have been vacant and in a state of disrepair for years.
In its announcement, ODOD said the project will involve the demolition and environmental cleanup of the deteriorating building — which was originally
constructed in the early 1900s as an auto dealership.
Following cleanup, the site will be redeveloped as a new office building, supporting small business growth in the area, according to the release in November from ODOD.
Project to be put out for bids ‘sooner than later’
During Shelby City Council’s first meeting of 2025, Joe Gies, the city’s project coordinator, said the Land Bank recently received its grant agreement from the state.
“We’ll be starting to work on getting it out for bids for the demolition of the Broadway and Main buildings,” he said during his report Tuesday. “That should be sooner than later now, so that’s a very good thing.”
Gies said the building at 21 Broadway St., formerly Harv’s Hair Styling Shop, will also be included in the demolition and remediation project.
According to the Richland County Auditor’s website, 21 Broadway St. was purchased in November 2024 by Shelby resident Troy Baker — who bought the other four parcels at the northeast corner of Broadway and Main streets around 2021.
“He’ll (Baker) have to pay for that (21 Broadway St.) by himself, but we’ll lump it in to the project — that way it’s much easier and everything,” Gies said.
In other action Monday, City Council:
— formed an ad hoc committee to help plan and organize how the city would like to participate in the America 250-Ohio project, celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. Council voted Fourth Ward Councilman Nathan Martin and At-large Councilman Steven McLaughlin to the committee.
