Mahoning County Receives $6.8M for Demolition of Blighted Buildings

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Mahoning County Land Reutilization Corporation was awarded $6.8 million to demolish 596 vacant, blighted buildings in the county.

Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted announced Tuesday that 2,277 blighted structures in 42 counties will be demolished through the Ohio Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program to pave the way for new economic development and housing opportunities across the state.

The city of Youngstown will receive more than $5.3 million to demolish 473 vacant and abandoned houses to make way for green spaces, with plans to potentially develop the properties for housing, commercial and industrial use.

“We are thankful to the governor and his team for affording us the opportunity to further our development efforts in the city of Youngstown by eliminating blighted and abandoned properties in our community,” Mayor Tito Brown said.

Youngstown City Council passed legislation in December 2021 to allocate match dollars from American Rescue Plan Act funding for the demolition of vacant properties.

Also in Mahoning County, 104 properties will be demolished in Campbell, five in Smith Township, four each in Austintown Township and Sebring, two in Boardman Township and one each in Beaver, Coitsville and Poland townships and Canfield.

The addresses of demolition sites can be viewed here.

“We’re not just tearing down dilapidated buildings, we’re helping to make communities across the state better places to start a business, raise a family and build a bright future,” DeWine said. “This isn’t just a win for 42 counties, it’s a win for all of Ohio.”

The projects announced Tuesday are in addition to the 825 demolition projects announced in October.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.