WAYNE ALLEN
PDT Staff Writer
Scioto County is receiving $277,000 from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office ‘Moving Ohio Forward Grant Program Fund.’ The money will reportedly be split with the city of Portsmouth for demolition projects in the county and the city.
According to the grant information, “Attorney General Mike DeWine announces the launch of a new grant program to assist communities in their economic recovery by removing blighted or abandoned structures to reclaim our neighborhoods. Attorney General DeWine believes this is the first step in our housing recovery and is unique in devoting substantial resources to a demolition program. $75 million has been allocated among all of Ohio’s counties to achieve the maximum number of demolitions of blighted or abandoned residential structures.”
Fritz Leighty, a consultant with the Scioto County Commissioners, said the houses that will be raised will have a lien placed on the property for the costs incurred.
“We (Scioto County) are targeting West Portsmouth and New Boston with our portion of the money,” Leighty said. “We think there may be enough money to raze between 15 and 17 houses.”
Tracy Shearer, Portsmouth’s economic development director, said a meeting is scheduled for next week to determine the target area for the city.
“We are estimating about 13 or 14 houses will be able to be taken down with this money,” Shearer said.
She said this money is in addition to $150,000 allocated in this year’s CIP budget to tear down houses.
Work is expected to begin in August in the county and the city.
Wayne Allen may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 208, or wallen@heartlandpublications.com.
CIP monies CANNOT be used for demolitions!!!!
Citizens of Portsmouth should start questioning what can and cannot be used otherwise they (City) will just do what they want as long as no one is questioning them. And don't just take their word for it, make them show you in writing!!!!!
There is even the State of Ohio government officials having them under a fiscal emergency with supposedly legal adult supervision, and they still let it go on. HELLO!
There are no Citizens of Portsmouth to do anything other then sit up and take nourishment and that's all they can put their attention to.
Even the PP CAVER's who rattle the halls of city building occasionally, thinking they will make a difference, are but OD&C, Olde Decrepit and Crazy. And who listens to them?
The Insurgents know that now and do not hide it any longer like with the USDA SOGP Gampp-gate in the PDT's, etc.
The whole of Scioto County and Ohio is corrupt, making good bad. With the exception of NB, Maybe?
Does this include "tear-downs?"
How bout "build-ups?"
More "nickel and Dimed" ing it, like the Federal Government is doing. No Gravitas, in fact, in Scioto County, no Savvy.
Maybe now, whoever can get time to put that "tear-down" lists together, and yes we are told the city will have a meeting next week to determine "the" target area for the city. What have they been doing just waiting for money to do their jobs, planning, etc. Target area, what about the rest of the city? Wow................
What happened to the Health Dept's Land banking program, that Council President Baughman started them on years ago? Oh busy claiming to fight Pill Mills now the Infamous Health Coalition?
Activity good, doing something, when will we see direction, like what next, where's the plan(s), and "build-ups?"
Praise Big Brother, Manna & blessings from the Mountain, Columbus, our heavens, and codependent?
State Attorney General and an Economic Development program, what happened to those state agencies that are supposed to do that, one's with all those Development terms in their titles, and what was that privatized one we were allowed to know about, JobsOhio, Inc? Hard to keep up with our taxes lately with what they are playing with next?
It's like they play monopoly with our money, after they collect their livelihoods and perks, and expenses for the job, etc. It never ends, but Economic Development and Growth has in Ohio and Scioto County. And we are at the bottom of the health and wellness lists. Hospices, Funerals, and gravesides, and counseling centers is our cottage industries. That's an economy as long as we last. God is taking us out like the U. S. Supreme Court and all other life long appointments.