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Following a series of cooperative actions among Franklin County, Prairie Township and Central Ohio Community Improvement Corporation officials, three derelict apartment buildings located at 299 and 329 Mix Avenue and 4619 Stiles Avenue in Prairie Township were torn down today clearing the way for redevelopment and removing a community eyesore.
“It was imperative that these abandoned buildings come down,” said Commission President Marilyn Brown. “They posed an immediate health and safety risk and warranted the county’s financial support to protect the surrounding neighborhoods, families and businesses.”
Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy said that the demolition occurred because the county and Prairie Township worked together to fund it. “I am glad that the Prairie Township Trustees brought this forward to us. These buildings were a safety hazard. We will continue to partner with Prairie Township and the Central Ohio Community Investment Corporation to put the newly vacant lots to good use.”
After being abandoned by the property owners and sitting vacant for years, Franklin County and Prairie Township officials began the process by foreclosing on the property and ultimately giving it to the Central Ohio Community Improvement Corporation to redevelop the land.
Prairie Township’s work to eliminate this community hazard dates back to cooperative efforts between the Prairie Township Zoning and Fire Departments and the Franklin County Board of Health in the mid 1990’s. Today’s success is the result of ongoing efforts that began at that time. The Township is currently formulating plans for redevelopment of this area. Township legislation ordering demolition of the buildings was adopted under a section of the Ohio Revised Code that allows for the expense of the demolition to be included as part of future redevelopment.
Following approval by the Board of Commissioners on April 15, 2008, Franklin County entered an agreement with Prairie Township for reimbursement of up to one half of the demolition cost. County support will pay for the environmental site assessment, building demolition and debris removal costs related to removing the abandoned structures that are health and safety hazards.
“The health and safety of all Franklin County residents is a fundamental right not to be violated,” said Commissioner Paula Brooks. “I applaud the efforts of all the parties which stepped up to resolve this issue. When property owners allow drugs and prostitution to flourish, it should never be tolerated and Franklin County will seek prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.”
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