Ohio awards $52 million for brownfield cleanup and demolition projects

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Development Director Lydia Mihalik have announced over $52 million in funding to support brownfield remediation and building demolition projects across Ohio. This funding, part of the Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program and the Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program, aims to clear hazardous and blighted properties, making room for new development opportunities.

The sixth round of funding includes $29 million for the cleanup of 36 brownfield sites in 23 counties. One significant project involves nearly $10 million for the remediation of the historic Terrace Plaza Hotel in Cincinnati, which will be redeveloped into apartments, retail, and other public spaces. Additionally, $23.3 million will go towards demolishing 292 vacant buildings across nine counties, including a former student housing facility at Capital University.

These efforts are part of the Ohio BUILDS Initiative, which focuses on improving communities through targeted infrastructure and development projects. To date, the programs have awarded more than $760 million, supporting hundreds of projects across the state.

• Adams County: Manchester Pants Factory – $497,450
  Cleanup and demolition of asbestos and contaminated soil at a vacant former factory, preparing for green space development.
• Adams County: Manchester Bi-Lo – $502,410
  Excavation and disposal of petroleum-contaminated soil at a former gas station, preparing the site for unrestricted future use.
• Ashtabula County: Shinkle Property – $321,115
  Remediation and demolition of a vacant automotive service station, preparing for commercial redevelopment.
• Athens County: Hollister School Demo – $407,555
  Demolition of a dilapidated school building with asbestos abatement.
• Brown County: Former Higginsport School – $696,000
  Asbestos abatement and demolition of a vacant school, transforming it into green space.
• Butler County: Former Middletown Paperboard Site – $1,500,000
  Cleanup and demolition of former paperboard manufacturing buildings, preparing for commercial or light industrial use.
• Butler County: Former Cohen Recycling – $182,205
  Environmental assessment of a contaminated industrial site for future redevelopment.
• Cuyahoga County: West Side Market – $1,286,604
  Asbestos removal and selective demolition at Cleveland’s historic public market to prepare for renovation.
• Cuyahoga County: Taylor Tudor Plaza Redevelopment – $2,118,504
  Rehabilitation of historic mixed-use buildings, including asbestos and lead abatement, into apartments and retail spaces.
• Cuyahoga County: 785 Front Street – $60,630
  Removal of an abandoned underground storage tank and soil remediation at a former gas station site.
• Cuyahoga County: African Town Plaza – $251,517
  Asbestos remediation and demolition of an abandoned YMCA building, preparing for a mixed-use cultural center.
• Darke County: Treaty Lanes Assessment – $300,000
  Environmental assessment of a former bowling alley and bar, preparing for commercial redevelopment.
• Darke County: 501 Gray Avenue – $300,000
  Assessment of a former foundry site to determine environmental conditions for future use.
• Darke County: 142 North Broadway – $249,000
  Environmental assessment of a vacant lot historically used as a tannery and gas station, preparing for cleanup.
• Defiance County: Former Deluxe Cleaners – $708,966
  Cleanup and demolition of hazardous materials at a former dry-cleaning facility to prepare for redevelopment.
• Delaware County: 1405 US Highway 23 North – $49,100
  Removal of underground storage tanks from a former service center to prepare for future use.
• Gallia County: Hills Grocery – $209,872
  Demolition of a former grocery store and removal of contaminated soil.
• Hamilton County: Terraces (Former Terrace Plaza Hotel) – $9,918,800
  Remediation and redevelopment of a historic hotel into apartments, retail, and parking.
• Hamilton County: 1422-1450 Walnut (The Lockhart) – $174,680
  Environmental assessment of a vacant mixed-use property for housing and commercial redevelopment.
• Hamilton County: 4575 Eastern Avenue – $4,705,883
  Demolition and remediation of a blighted industrial site to build multifamily apartments.
• Hamilton County: Evanston 5-Points – $300,000
  Soil and groundwater assessment of a former auto repair site for mixed-use redevelopment.
• Hancock County: 428 W Main Cross St – $52,348
  Phase II environmental assessment of a former gas station for residential redevelopment.
• Harrison County: Old Auto Service Garage – $202,049
  Demolition of a deteriorated garage and environmental assessment for future use.
• Highland County: East Monroe Tank Farm – $129,628
  Assessment of a former tank farm to identify environmental hazards.
• Lake County: Blackbrook – $300,000
  Assessment of a 20-acre industrial site containing potential environmental hazards.
• Mahoning County: 1034 Wick Ave – $265,100
  Cleanup of a deteriorated former auto parts store, including asbestos removal.
• Montgomery County: North Keowee Strip Center – $87,266
  Environmental assessment of a vacant commercial property for future remediation.
• Montgomery County: West Carrollton Wastewater Treatment Plant – $1,898,687
  Remediation and demolition of a former wastewater plant, preparing for future industrial use.
• Montgomery County: Cheerhart Cleaners – $171,858
  Assessment of contamination at a former dry cleaner site for future cleanup.
• Portage County: 1057 W Main St – $84,289
  Removal of underground storage tanks from a former gas station site for redevelopment.
• Richland County: Swan Cleaners – $120,700
  Groundwater cleanup of a former dry-cleaning site.
• Sandusky County: Former Trico Glass – $162,550
  Asbestos abatement and demolition of a former glass manufacturing building.
• Summit County: 892 Northwest Avenue – $143,076
  Environmental assessment of a former auto repair shop for future redevelopment.
• Summit County: 1130-1138 Brittain / Evans – $131,625
  Environmental assessment of two industrial buildings for future use as commercial properties.
• Warren County: Former Sunoco & Morrow Plaza – $300,000
  Assessment of soil and groundwater contamination at former gas station and retail properties.
• Williams County: Kunkle Carryout – $284,259
  Demolition of a former gas station and convenience store with asbestos abatement and soil remediation.