This money adds to the $12 million of Clean Ohio funds Hamilton has received over the past decade, said Melissa Johnson-Gabbard, economic development administrator. Johnson-Gabbard said the city will receive the grant agreement in January and will prepare bid documents in the spring.
“This project will include asbestos abatement, soil remediation, and indoor air issues,” Johnson-Gabbard said.
Johnson-Gabbard said parts of the soil will either be capped or removed to protect groundwater.
“The city is not in a position to continue growing geographically so recycling urban property is important,” Johnson-Gabbard said. “The economic capacity is lost when it just sits there.”
According to documents, the property’s proximity to Ohio 4 and 129 and downtown Hamilton makes it very marketable. Burchfield Diebold LLC and its Realtor Donald Davis of Bowling & Kugler Realty are aiming to redevelop the site for commercial and retail use.
Bill Burchfield said he has no preference on the kind of business that would work on the property next.
“I may use part of it, depending on what goes in facing (Ohio 4),” Burchfield said. “Marcell’s is still here behind the building, we’re been here since 1956.”
Burchfield said he’d be willing to lease the property or potentially sell to interested buyers.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2179 or hpoturalski@coxohio.com.
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