Southern Ohio Counties Receive State Demolition Funding to Remove Blighted Properties and Prepare Sites for Redevelopment
SOUTHERN OHIO — Several communities across the Signal 740 coverage area are receiving state funding to demolish vacant and deteriorating properties as part of Ohio’s effort to eliminate blight and prepare land for future redevelopment.
Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik announced $11.9 million in grants through the state’s Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program. The funding will support projects in 73 counties, including Ross, Pike, Scioto, Vinton, Jackson, and Pickaway counties.
Each county was eligible for up to approximately $230,000 in demolition funding. The program is designed to help communities remove unsafe residential and commercial structures, clear abandoned properties, and create opportunities for new housing, businesses, public spaces, and economic development.
“Every community deserves places that inspire pride and create opportunity,” DeWine said. “By helping remove long-vacant, unsafe buildings, we're giving local leaders the chance to reimagine these properties in ways that strengthen neighborhoods, attract investment, and improve quality of life.”
Ross County
The Ross County Land Reutilization Corporation received a $230,000 award, with $159,111 in grant funds designated for demolition projects.
The funding will target several properties in Chillicothe, including:
102 King Street
106 King Street
20 West Seventh Street
311 East Seventh Street rear
370 McKellar Avenue
390 McKellar Street
50 Carlisle Place
694 East Fourth Street
736 Madison Avenue
85 Hildegarten Street
863 Adams Avenue
Officials say removing these structures will help return vacant properties to productive use and improve surrounding neighborhoods.
Pike County
The Pike County Land Reutilization Corporation received the full $230,000 award for demolition projects.
Properties identified for demolition include:
724 East Second Street in Piketon
7795 Beavers Ridge in Piketon
547 Meadow Run Road in Waverly
A property along U.S. Route 23 near West Emmitt Avenue in Waverly
The projects are intended to remove deteriorated structures and create opportunities for future redevelopment.
Scioto County
Scioto County received $230,000 through the Scioto County Land Reutilization Corporation.
The funding will support demolition efforts at:
1307 Mabert Road in Portsmouth
1543 Poplar Street in Portsmouth
Vinton County
Vinton County Commissioners received a $230,000 award for demolition projects throughout the county.
Properties targeted include locations in:
Hamden
Londonderry
McArthur
Zaleski
Specific sites include:
186 Scott Avenue, Hamden
59 North Church Street, Hamden
61445 Gorrell Road, Hamden
52493 Old Route 50, Londonderry
53481 State Route 671, Londonderry
27599 Bray Hollow Road, McArthur
411 South Market Street, McArthur
Multiple properties along Main Street and South Broadway in Zaleski
Jackson County
Jackson County Land Reutilization Corporation also received the full $230,000 award.
The funding will assist demolition projects at more than 20 locations across Jackson County, Oak Hill, Wellston, and surrounding areas.
Some of the properties include:
104 Columbia Street, Jackson
1450 Five Points Road, Jackson
15982 Beaver Pike, Jackson
16 East Vine Street, Jackson
254 Harding Street, Jackson
293 Orange Street, Jackson
36 Wood Avenue, Jackson
Multiple properties in Oak Hill and Wellston
Pickaway County
Pickaway County was also approved for demolition funding through the Ohio EPA’s broader revitalization efforts, with the county receiving support through the state program for removal of failing structures and redevelopment preparation.
Officials say demolition programs like this are designed to help communities address abandoned properties that can become safety hazards and obstacles to investment.
Statewide, the Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program has invested more than $325 million and supported nearly 6,700 demolition projects across all 88 Ohio counties.
The program is part of Gov. DeWine’s Ohio BUILDS Initiative, which focuses on improving communities through infrastructure upgrades, broadband expansion, brownfield redevelopment, and targeted economic development projects.
Signal 740 will continue tracking state investments impacting communities across the Scioto Valley.
A full list of all projects across the state can be found here.
