Scioto County Commissioners are aiming to bring down what they called a “bad and quirky” eyesore in Lucasville, using funds from the county’s Land Bank.
The property in question, located on Piketon Road, was summed up in two blunt words by Commissioner Bryan Davis: “It’s bad.”
During a recent meeting, commissioners passed a resolution to pursue demolition of the vacant structure, describing it as “blighted, unsafe, and substandard.” With the owner’s permission, the county hopes to use land bank funding to remove it for the safety and health of the surrounding community.
“It’s really bad,” Davis emphasized. “Terrible. It is in bad shape. We’re trying to contact the owners, but we’ve hit some communication roadblocks. There are a lot of structures on the property—it’s not just one building. This one’s, quote, ‘bad and quirky.’ We’re struggling with this one.”
He said the owners initially expressed interest in tearing the structure down, but complications have slowed the process.
More Help for Blighted Properties?
Commissioner Scottie Powell encouraged residents who own vacant or deteriorating properties to consider turning them over to the Land Bank, but reminded everyone that funding is limited.
“There is more funding that will be coming available,” Davis added. “Once it’s released, we’ll work to identify eligible properties. In some cases, an owner can even keep the land and just grant an easement to allow us to demolish the structure.”
Currently, the county is using money already allocated through a state demolition fund approved by the Ohio House and Senate and signed into law by the Governor. While more funding is included in the upcoming state budget, the exact amount isn’t known yet.
Davis also said they’re hopeful for “Welcome Home Ohio” funding, which could allow for remodeling or even new construction on Land Bank lots.
“We’re also wrapping up gas station cleanups,” he said. “In fact, we just got approval to sell one of the sites. There’s a lot going on. It’s pretty neat.”
As more funds become available, the county hopes to tackle more of the structures that are dragging neighborhoods down—one “bad and quirky” house at a time.
