The former Hofeller, Hiatt and Clark building
Jacob Espinosa | The Lima News
COLUMBUS — Governor Mike DeWine announced almost $50 million to go to demolition and brownfield remediation projects, including ones in Allen County and Putnam County.
The state of Ohio will send $1,000,000 to the Putnam County Land Reutilization Corporation for the remediation of the former Philips Display Components Manufacturing Facility, $252,000 to the Allen County Land Reutilization Corporation for the former Hofeller, Hiatt and Clark building and $150,522 to Allen County for the Riverfront One Project, per an announcement Friday.
“By investing in these sites, we’re giving these areas a fresh start,” DeWine said in a statement. “We developed these programs to turn areas of neglect into places of hope and opportunity for businesses and families alike.”
Ohio Brownfield Remediation grants will send $16.2 million to clean up and redevelop 52 hazardous brownfield sites in 31 counties.
The state will also send $115,500 to the Van Wert County Land Reutilization Corporation for Downtown Van Wert Assessments, $300,000 to the Hardin County Board of Commissioners for 414 S. Main St., 13267 state Route 68 South and 439 S. Detroit St.
Lima Mayor Sharetta Smith called the announcement welcome news and a wonderful example of collaboration across all levels of government.
“The city and county collaborated with the application, and the state is providing needed funds to support local redevelopment,” Smith said in a statement. “Working together makes meaningful change possible and we are thankful for the support of our county and state partners as we continue the transformation currently underway in our downtown area.”
Allen County is set to turn the former Hofeller, Hiatt and Clark building into the new Allen County Administrative Building by demolishing the existing building and removing asbestos.
The county will also assess the Riverfront One Project at the vacant building at 325 S. Main St. in Lima.
In June, Lima welcomed consultants to share their proposals for how the building owned by the city could be transformed into a mixed-use development featuring a public market (bit.ly/45GoW61).
Putnam County will use the funding to demolish the manufacturing facility, abate asbestos and remove contaminated soil to make way for future industrial redevelopment.
“We are pleased the Ohio Dept. of Development has awarded funding for the clean up and remediation of the former Philips Display Components site that has been vacant for 22 years and is a nuisance property in the community,” Putnam County director of economic development Amy Sealts said via email. “Working on this project is a partnership of the property owner, Port Authority of Northwestern Ohio, Putnam County Land Bank, Maumee Valley Planning Organization, and Verdantas, our environmental and technical assistance partner. After cleanup, it is our goal to continue redeveloping the property for a future tenant.”
The county had previously received a $1 million grant from the Ohio Department of Development in a prior round of funding for the project.
Reach Jacob Espinosa at 567-242-0399.
