LUCAS COUNTY, Ohio — The state of Ohio has awarded millions of dollars to some of its counties to demolish and revitalize dilapidated or vacant buildings, including several in Lucas County.
According to a press release from Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's office, the state Department of Development has allocated $67.3 million to nine Ohio counties for the purposes of demolishing vacant or blighted structures. The process is intended to make room for new economic development, the state said.
"These buildings are standing in the way of progress, so it's time to knock them down," DeWine said in a press release Wednesday. "Once these structures are gone, we expect to see new economic development opportunities coming into these neighborhoods."
According to director of the state's Department of Development Lydia Mihalik, removing blight can positively affect property values and revitalize housing markets, in addition to removing safety hazards.
“These buildings are standing in the way of progress, so it's time to knock them down," said DeWine in the press release. "Once these structures are gone, we expect to see new economic development opportunities coming into these neighborhoods."
The program has served the remaining 79 of Ohio's counties in year's past, with demolition announcements beginning in 2022.
On the list include the Spitzer and Nicholas buildings (520 and 608 Madison Ave., respectively). WTOL 11 previously reported in 2023 the city of Toledo had chosen developers to revitalize the structures, using a mix of residential and commercial space.
The structures, which are currently vacant but undergoing revitalization, are located at the intersection of Madison Avenue and Huron Street. It is the last corner in downtown Toledo where all four original buildings remain standing.
The Lucas County Land Bank said that both buildings were awarded the funds for interior demolition to ready them for their conversion to residential usage. The Spitzer and Nicholas buildings will remain standing and are not slated to be demolished, the land bank said.
Lucas County received $9,610,706 to fund the demolition and rehabilitation initiative at 24 different sites. Here's the list, as provided by the state of Ohio:
Outside of Toledo locations
- 1119 Grasser Rd. - Oregon
- 9501 W. Central Ave. - Sylvania
Downtown Toledo
- 608 Madison Ave.
- 520 Madison Ave.
- 429 N. Michigan Ave.
- 317 N. Superior St.
- 325 N. Superior St.
- 405 N. Huron St.
South Toledo
- 1101 Shadowlawn Dr.
- 1105 Shadowlawn Dr.
- 1019 Shadowlawn Dr.
- 1148 Radcliffe Dr.
- 881 Geneva Ave.
Central Toledo
- 3031 Monroe St.
- 2023 N. Detroit Ave.
- 1728 Norwood Ave.
- 750 Montrose Ave.
- 1045 Post St.
- 121 -135 17th St.
- 22 Southard Ave.
West Toledo
- 6130 Hill Ave.
- 1064 W. Laksey Rd
North Toledo
- 3302 Lagrange St.
East Toledo
- 401 Main St.
LOCAL HEADLINES: Multi-million dollar renovation project underway at historic downtown Defiance building
To see a full list of demolition projects across the state, click here.
WATCH MORE FROM WTOL 11
