What We Do

For a comparatively smaller land bank, we stay busy! If a structure is too dilapidated to be considered a viable candidate for renovation, we demolish it and make the property available for purchase as green space or as a vacant lot upon which to build when appropriate. We have completed two in-house renovations, working with a construction company to perform full renovations on two land bank-owned houses which were then made available for purchase. 

Some of our properties are redeveloped into community spaces such as Sedalia Park in Glouster, Coolville Elementary’s playground, and Fannin Family Farm’s greenhouse and market in Nelsonville!

Building Demolition & Site Revitalization Program

The State of Ohio’s 2019 biennial budget surprised land banks throughout the state when they announced $350 Million would be set aside for the demolition of abandoned properties. Even more remarkable was the ability to use the funds to demolish privately owned properties. We immediately began conversations with our partners in local municipalities to discover properties that might qualify. Projects from all 14 townships were submitted as part of our application. In total, 30 demolitions occurred, a mix of properties owned by the Land Bank, properties condemned by cities and villages, and privately owned structures that had long been blights to their respective communities. Many of the parcels have been sold and are back on the tax rolls, with some housing new residences built by Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio.

The Building Demolition & Site Revitalization program was renewed for the 2024-2025 state biennial budget. Our application included 34 structures, once again a mix of properties owned by the Land Bank and private residents. We are currently working to finish the demolitions for this program, with an end goal of May 2026.

The Ohio Department of Development announced that the program would be renewed for the 2026 fiscal year, but unlike the previous programs, it would be a one-year program instead of two years and the set-aside dollar amount for each county would be considerably lower. In partnership with Hocking Athens Perry Community Action, we are working on submitting our application for the upcoming BD&SR program.

Brownfield Remediation

We are regularly involved in brownfield remediation projects across the county. According to the US EPA, a brownfield is “a property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant”. In Athens County, this often looks like abandoned gas stations, mechanic’s shops, or in the case of the old Jacksonville-Trimble school, the presence of high concentrations of asbestos. 

The Ohio Department of Development began engaging the Brownfield Remediation program the same year as the rollout of the Building Demolition & Site Revitalization program, creating a new avenue of funding for brownfield site cleanup. In partnership with Tetra Tech and the Athens County Port Authority, we have been involved in the successful remediation of brownfield sites in Athens, Chauncey, Trimble, Glouster, Hollister, and Lee Township. 

Welcome Home Ohio Program

Administered by the Ohio Department of Development, the Welcome Home Ohio (WHO) program is designed to provide grants for the purchase of qualifying residential properties, the cost of construction or rehabilitation, and nonrefundable tax credits for qualifying activities. 

We partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio to acquire funding through this program to build 6 new income-qualifying homes in Athens County! As of January 2026, two new homes have been built on previously owned Land Bank properties with two builds in-progress.