SHELBY — A project years in the making officially began Monday afternoon in Shelby at the corner of Broadway and Main streets.
Shelby resident Troy Baker purchased four parcels at the northeast corner of Broadway and Main about four years ago. Several vacant buildings, most in a state of disrepair, were located on the property.
Baker expressed interest in a public/private partnership with the Richland County Land Bank to bring new life and purpose back to the corner lot located near downtown.
Efforts to fund the project didn’t come to fruition until November 2024. The Land Bank was awarded $1.7 million in total grants from the Ohio Department of Development — including $657,500 for Shelby’s demolition and remediation project.
On Monday afternoon, city officials and leaders from around the state kicked off the project with a ceremony. After remarks from several officials, R&D Excavating began demolition.
The Crestline-based contractor was awarded the project in April by the Land Bank.
Shelby Mayor Steve Schag made opening remarks thanking all those involved for making the project a reality.
“A while ago, Richland County embraced the branding slogan, ‘Richland County, a family of communities,'” Schag said. “That is not only our brand, that is our belief.
“That slogan is a beautiful description of the camaraderie and collaboration enjoyed across our county,” the mayor said.
‘We’re going to get this done’
In April, the Land Bank also approved entering into a demolition and site revitalization agreement with Baker for his 21 Broadway St. property — a building connected to the others being demolished.
That agreement states he has “agreed to provide the funding for demolition of 21 Broadway in the amount of $58,047.”
Schag said Baker and his wife, Monica, have “poured their lives” into Shelby.
“They love their community and it shows in their devotion and significant donations,” the mayor said. “We owe a huge thank-you to the Baker family.”
Joe Gies, Shelby project coordinator, previously told Richland Source that demolition could be finished by June. Following cleanup, the site will be redeveloped as a new office building, supporting small business growth in the area, according to a release from ODOD.
“This demolition project is a testament to individuals working together in a united effort to bring about a successful outcome,” Schag said.
Richland County Treasurer Bart Hamilton, chair of the Land Bank board, said the efforts of Baker and his attorney made the whole sale work.
The properties were congested with several state and federal tax liens, he said.
“If he (Baker) wouldn’t have done that, I don’t know how this would ever have happened,” Hamilton said. “I want to apologize that this has taken so long, for us to get here.
“But we’re here and we’re going to get this done,” he said.
(Below are more photos from Monday’s ceremony.)
Moving forward
State Rep. Marilyn John still remembers her father taking her to the Hicks and Martin auto parts store — which is one of the vacant buildings now being demolished.
John said he used to get his hair cut at Harv’s Hair Styling Shop, another structure set to come down.
“Part of it is being able to move forward,” she said. “It’s not forgetting our heritage or anything like that, but it is being able to move forward.
“The Land Bank has helped so many communities and I’m so thankful to see Shelby at the table with Joe (Gies) on the board now and at the table for the Land Bank,” John said.
Shawn Carvin also attended Monday’s ceremony. Carvin is the executive director for the Ohio Land Bank Association. He said the Richland County Land Bank is “pound-for-pound” among the state’s best.
“The demolition of this building is really just clearing the way for what can soon become redevelopment of this property,” Carvin said.
“We have to clear this space out, where infrastructure exists, where properties are prime to be redeveloped, so that there’s a chance to see these communities come back,” he said.
