It's a win-win situation as a neighborhood eyesore comes tumbling down, and a new home will go up for a soldier.
The house at 207 West North Street in the Village of Elida is the Allen County Land Bank's first demolition outside the City of Lima. It has been in disrepair for several years. The Village of Elida approached the Land Bank to acquire the property and have it taken down. They agreed and have also donated the land to the non-profit, Lots for Soldiers. The program helps veterans or active personnel build affordable housing. This situation is what the Land Bank is meant to do, revitalize neighborhoods and communities.
"That is a very productive, like I say, business decision. It meets all the criteria that we want to see. Once again, we're bringing in a new consumer, with new utilities, and we're getting a new house ready for Lots for Soldiers. It's a win-win situation for everybody," commented Elida Village Administrator, Dave Metzger.
"Once we get the obtain the lot, then we seek applicants for the lot and once those two have been married together, we design the house or participate in designing the house according to what the lot will accommodate and according to the needs and desires of the family that's going to be living there," said Homer Burnett from Lots for Soldiers. Burnett says they hope to break ground by summer.
More info on Lots for Soldiers can be found at lotsforsoldiers.com.
