The largest project at around $53,000 was removing the former village of Fletcher post office building, which had issues with mold and extensive deterioration.
To qualify for the program, the property being demolished had to include residential use. The post office had business on the first floor but apartments upstairs.
The Moving Ohio Forward program’s first phase is winding down, with 35 demolitions completed and 11 in progress. Phase one had $554,000 total funding, including $527,000 in program money and $27,000 in matching funds from Miami County Public Health and Piqua.
Miami County has used or committed $207,875 for 10 completed demolitions and three in progress; county Public Health District, $189,625 for 15 demolitions and five in progress; and Piqua, $121,700 for 10 demolitions and two in progress.
A few more demolitions will be identified for another $27,794 awarded recently in a program phase two, said Nikki Reese, county community development program manager.
“This was an excellent opportunity for the county to take care of blighted structures we had health and safety issues with and the fear of kids getting into them or vandalizing them,” Reese said.
Chris Cook, county health commissioner, said the program has been “great” for the county. “Not only do neighbors appreciate this program, but the township and village officials do as well,” he said. “Many of these homes have been in a public health nuisance condition or condemned for years. We don’t enjoy taking down properties, but sometimes demolition is the best move we can make for the community.”
Commission President John “Bud” O’Brien praised Reese for work on the program, including coordinating with township, village and other officials to identify qualifying projects.
“It was a great opportunity to help across the county. Now, hopefully, we will have lots that can have something positive placed on them in the future,” O’Brien said.
The program dollars came an Ohio Attorney General’s Office settlement with national mortgage service companies accused of fraud and deceptive mortgage practices.
The county required the property owner to pay 50 percent of the demolition, and allowed a payments option.
The health department was involved in demolishing properties whose owners do not agree to voluntary removal. Fifty percent of those projects’ cost would be assessed to taxes.
In addition, a revolving loan fund was started with money paid by owners to help cover future demolitions once the MOF money is depleted. Around $30,000 was in the fund in February.
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