Demolition work is underway at the Riverfront One building on South Main Street as the city moves forward with potential redevelopment plans for the downtown property.
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Allen County Auditor and Land Bank Administrator Rachael Gilroy spoke at the GOP luncheon about completed work and future projects planned across the area.
The Allen County Land Bank is moving forward with a multi-structure demolition project, despite winter weather, aimed at improving some of the county’s most visible properties.
The Allen County Land Bank is kicking off what could be quite a few brownfield remediation projects in the county. 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.
It once was a busy service station with cars lining up to get the cheapest gas in town but has since become a boarded-up eyesore. The Swifty gas station on Elida Road came down Tuesday. American Township put a demolition order on the structure. For the first time, the Allen County Land Bank is working under a township demo order to remove the structure and hopefully get the site ready for development in the future. The property is currently in the foreclosure process, and it has taken some time to get to demo day, which is making a difference.
The first "visual" confirmation of the new Allen County administration building was seen this morning. It took less than an hour to bring down 221 North Main Street Thursday morning. Ben's Construction crews took no time to get the demolition process underway. Motorists were noticing and asking questions as they drove by. This is one of the two lots that will become the home of a new 17-million-dollar administration building. The other is the former Hofeller, Hiatt and Clark building at the corner of West North and North Main streets. The demolition of these buildings is the start of a long-awaited project.
The Allen County Land Bank is back at it, bringing down foreclosed properties to promote redevelopment. The warehouse has been an eyesore along State Route 309, which is Kiracofe Avenue within the village of Elida. The building was built in 1939 and was most recently owned by Douglas P. Fay and housed a construction company. The Allen County auditor says it took months to sort out all the transfers of the property to get the foreclosure complete and get to this day of demolition.
After years of discussion and planning, the Allen County Commissioners have passed legislation that will build a new administration building. A resolution to go out for bid on the nearly 17 million-dollar project has been approved. There will be a pre-bid meeting on August 21st where interested companies can get the project specs with bids due on October 3rd. The county was able to save some money in demolition thanks to the Allen County Land Bank.
The Allen County Land Bank says that the 2023 budget could allow them to move forward with their home improvement project, where residents can contact the land bank and request help in repairing parts of their homes. The land bank also says that this year could see positives when it comes to funding other projects in the local area.
Corner of Wayne and Union being looked at for possible garage site for Allen Co. Veterans Commission
The Allen County Land Bank has ownership of the property at the corner of Wayne and Union, where they were able to demolish this old building leaving a usable lot. County commissioners are looking to build a new structure that will accommodate the Allen County Veterans Commission vehicles and are interested in this site.