ALLEN COUNTY, OH (WLIO) - The Allen County Land Bank is kicking off what could be quite a few brownfield remediation projects in the county.
The state awarded them a $250,000 grant for the demolition.
Members of their board came today to check out the work being done at their first brownfield project, the demolition of the former Hofeller, Hiatt, and Clark building. It will make way for the new Allen County administration building. The state awarded them a $250,000 grant for the demolition.
For brownfield projects, there are risks like asbestos or other potentially harmful chemicals that need to be removed before demolition starts.
Members of their board came today to check out the work being done at their first brownfield project.
"To do this demolition correctly, there are a few things that are needed to be done up front. One is what we call universal waste assessment or survey and an asbestos survey. Those surveys are done to quantify materials in the building to be removed before demolition, so we don't create an environmental issue during the demolition process," says Mike Coonfare, senior project manager for the Civil & Environmental Consultants.
The Allen County Land Bank also awarded money to work with the City of Lima to do studies at the Riverfront One building for potential redevelopment.
Some of those brownfield projects waiting on funding include the TB hospital, the old county jail, and the former Lickety Split.
"This week, you will see ground monitoring machinery out there and things like that. That project is probably going to take six to nine months to complete that phase two project out there. Just to make sure the building and the ground under it is safe and we know what we are getting into as the city goes further with the development of the project. But we do have an entire list of projects that we have submitted to the state that we are waiting on approval on," says Rachael Gilroy, Allen County Land Bank/auditor.
Some of those brownfield projects waiting on funding include the TB hospital, the old county jail, and the former Lickety Split on North West Street.
