Ernie Root is trying to save the old Eaton Armory, which dates back to 1912. Every person from Preble County who went to war in the last 100 years was processed through this landmark that has been closed for nearly three years.
That is also how long Ernie said he has been battling government bureaucracy.
"You don't want to know how slow it moves. It took a year just to find out a price, what it could cost to buy this armory," said Root.
The state of Ohio still owns the property. The grass gets cut but the armory is surrounded by weeds.
Murlin Heights school building in Vandalia
In Butler Township, Nancy Lou Holler said the closing of a public building in her neighborhood was like losing an old friend.
"It was sad, very sad," said Holler.
She is talking about the old Murlin Heights school building in Vandalia that closed just a few weeks ago. Holler said her children and grandchildren attended the school and she fears that the building will sit there empty and eventually become an eyesore.
Vandalia Superintendent Brad Neavin said the district had no choice but to close the school.
"We can't keep spending dollars on any resource, if that resource is not giving us our bang for the buck, so to speak," said Neavin.
Other buildings
We found other buildings that have been sitting empty like the old Army Reserve Center in Springfield, closed four years ago. Only recently, the city decided to take it over.
Then, there is the 11-acre Nike Missile Base that was built during the Cold War.
"It's been an eyesore," said Dwight Jones of Oxford.
Through all the weeds and overgrowth, you can still see the massive platforms of the radar installation. The Federal Government confirmed to our I-Team that the property is being sold. However, the potential buyer was not identified.
This comes just as the state of Ohio is launching a study of all empty properties like the National Guard facility in Clark County.
We also found one mothballed building making a comeback. The Madison Park Elementary School was almost brand new when it was closed two years ago due to budget problems. Now it is being reopened by the Trotwood-Madison School District.
"We find ourselves in at least a financially stable place that we believe it is prudent and again service to the community, to open buildings that the community is paying for," said Superintendent Kevin Bell.
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