Land Bank — Input on HB 155 from a Resident of Trimble Township, Athens County

Summary

Testimony on HB 155 from Diana Chalfant, a life long resident of Athens co. and of Trimble Township, in support of land bank funding. Chalfant represents a grassroots group formed in 2000 called Tomcat Bridgebuilders, which began addressing housing blight in the area and met with the Athens Co commissioners and County Treasurer about forming a landbank. The testimony reports that the total number of parcel projects in Trimble township is 115, with 81 parcels acquired, 28 demolitions to date and 17 parcels transferred to tax-paying entities. It closes by strongly encouraging support to further fund the land bank.

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Full text

                                    Land Bank
Thank you for permitting me the opportunity to provide input on the decisions of
HB 155. Being a life long resident of Athens co. and specifically of Trimble
Township my concerns for the area have been many, but not nearly as concerned
as I have been over the issue of blighted properties for the past 10-15 years.
These properties have led to the deterioration of the communities involved, along
with the deterioration of community pride, morale, health and safety of all who
live here. I am representing a grassroots group that was formed in 2000 because
of the increased incidence of drug use and death among the youth in my
community. I consider Jacksonville, Trimble, Glouster and Trimble Township all
my “community”. The group that came together to try to make change is called
Tomcat Bridgebuilders. I have a copy of our most recent annual report for you.
Approximately 3 or 4 years ago it became part of our focus to address the issue of
housing blight in our area. We knew that areas with increased housing blight were
targets for crime and drug use. There are many studies that reflect this problem.
I used to worry that these communities were going to end up like the areas in a
MAD MAX movie. We were witnessing increased drug use, property values
decreasing, the environment becoming unsafe( these properties being used as
meth houses and drug dens), and the revenue from taxes for these properties not
being collected. Our group decided to explore a solution to address this situation.
We heard about the landbank in other cities such as Portsmouth, and Cleveland
and decided to explore the possibility of such a thing happening in Athens Co. We
met with the Athens Co commissioners, the County Treasurer and some officials
from Cleveland. We went to Portsmouth to sit in on one of their meetings and
talk with the parties involved there. Needless to say we left Portsmouth very
energized to begin this process here. After a few meetings with the treasurer and
commissioners, the wise leadership began the process of forming a landbank.
I am happy to report that to this date the landbank meetings are very open and
transparent. The commissioners and treasurer are very open to public comment
and very willing to collaborate with other programs such as FEMA.
Trimble alone has seen the opening of two new businesses, Glouster has formed a
restoration committee which built a mini park on the site of a demolished
building. People are noticing the improvement, and many are interested in
building new homes on these sites. Habitat for humanity has built affordable
housing, and Integrated Services is building a facility for their clients. Businesses
are buying property for their business improvement. It also opens up housing
development for people to get out of the flood plain. These properties will now
be generating tax revenue for the area. Drug dens have been removed, trash
dumps have been cleaned up, all to add to the improved health of the neighbors
and citizens.
To date:
the total number of parcel projects in Trimble township is 115
the number of parcels actually acquired is 81
the number of demolitions to date is 28
the number of parcels transferred to tax-paying entities is 17
Progress that I thought would never happen is being made. We are a very poor
community and county, but with cooperation and collaboration positive
improvements are being made and the health and well-being of our citizens will
continue to improve. I strongly encourage your support to further fund the land
bank.
Sincerely,
Diana Chalfant
10630 Congress Run Rd.
Trimble, Ohio 45782


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