By Kimberly Pistone
For the Sidney Daily News
SIDNEY — The Shelby County Land Reutilization Corp. discussed the Wagner site and new properties in a meeting on Sept. 17.
According to Director Doug Ahlers’s report, there are currently seven residential properties and one industrial property in foreclosure. The Land Bank will be acquiring the industrial property in September. The board sold one property in August.
Regarding the Wagner site, they are still waiting for the Phase II test results and should have them by the end of October. It is likely there is some lead contamination due to foundry sand. If so, that will be removed and fill dirt will be hauled in. Once that is complete, the edges will have to be tested again. Since the Land Bank was under budget on Phase I, they may be able to clean the contamination to a higher level. They do not know if it will be clean enough for housing.
There are four properties to be demolished, all of which should be covered under the 2024 Housing Grant. The board has placed a lien on the property at 6626 State Route 66 in Newport, which was demolished in July due to safety concerns.
The Land Bank acquired a brownfield property located on Brooklyn Avenue and applied for grant funds to clean up the property.
Treasurer Todd Lotz reported the current balance for the Land Bank is $414,824.13, which includes a loan from the Shelby County Commissioners for $200,000. Revenue included interest and the sale of a property, for $30,678.73, and a second reimbursement of $24,612.50 from the brownfield grant. Expenses for the month were $131,786.23, of which $97,675.00 was for expenses for the Wagner demolition. According to Ahlers, a grant reimbursement request of $98,487.50 was submitted.
The next meeting will be held on at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19, in the Commissioners’ meeting room. There will not be enough members available to hold the October meeting.
