TNP Razes 108 Houses in 2015, Rehabs 44 Others

WARREN, Ohio – More than 150 vacant buildings were torn down or renovated in Warren last year by the Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership, the group announced Monday in its annual report.

In total, 108 houses were demolished, said executive director Matt Martin, and 44 families moved into rehabilitated houses. Private sources of funding paid for seven demolitions while the Ohio Housing Finance Agency’s Neighborhood Improvement Program paid for the rest.

TNP started the Lots to Love program in early 2015, allowing residents to redevelop and transform empty lots into public spaces such as parks, gardens and art projects. Ten projects, which must be approved by other residents nearby, were completed last year.

One project completed through Lot to Love is 2017 Willard Ave. SE, where several teachers turned the lot into a park with space for the performing arts, an agricultural curriculum and physical education.

Through the court-ordered community service, more than 1,000 lawns were mowed and 195 houses owned by the Trumbull County Land Bank, operated by TNP, were boarded up.

“All of these efforts are designed to return derelict vacant property to productive use,” Martin said. “Through home ownership, demolition, land use, urban agriculture and public art, we are seeking to find the opportunities in this vacant property crisis. Trumbull County residents should be the primary beneficiaries of programs intended to mitigate the effects of blight and vacancy.”

As of Feb. 1, the Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership had 53 properties scheduled to be razed and 27 renovated houses for sale.

A full copy of the annual report can be found here.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.