Press Room >> 2009 Press Releases FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE COLUMBUS – Governor Ted Strickland and Ohio Department of Development Interim Director Lisa Patt-McDaniel today announced that $896,594 in Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grants were approved by the State Controlling Board for the cities of Louisville and Youngstown for demolition and remediation activities. Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grants are awarded to aid in brownfield redevelopment of Ohio’s urban areas. “These Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grants help maintain the vitality of Youngstown and the City of Louisville’s urban core,” said Patt-McDaniel. “The assessment, demolition, and remediation work that is undertaken with these funds eliminates environmental contamination and blight allowing the properties to return to productive use in their respective communities.” City of Louisville (Stark County) will receive a $146,594 Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grant to conduct a Phase II Environmental Assessment on the former Petroleum & Power Maintenance property. The project property is located at 510 North Street. The Phase II work will include the installation of six shallow monitoring wells (up to 18 feet deep), one deep monitoring well (up to 80 feet deep), and 25 soil borings (up to 18 feet deep), as well as performance of a ground penetrating radar survey, asbestos survey, data evaluation, modeling, and report preparation. All assessment work will be conducted within the project property boundary. The assessment will determine the environmental suitability of the property and the possible need for any remediation. City of Youngstown (Mahoning County) will receive a $750,000 Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grant to conduct demolition and remediation activities on the Flats at Wick property. The 1.2-acre project property is located at 751 Elm Street. The remediation, along with extensive demolition, will initiate a $28 million Flats at Wick student housing project. The end development will result in office and retail space, supported by a 216-unit apartment complex featuring modern-design student apartments within the Youngstown State University campus. More than 450 students will be housed in the new building. Ten to 12 new jobs will be created to operate, manage, and maintain the buildings and surrounding grounds. The development partner, US Campus Suites, LLC, will contribute $835,216 in matching dollars for acquisition, assessment, and remediation activities. Clean Ohio Assistance will be used to abate asbestos, remove general waste, and remediate soil. The Clean Ohio Assistance Fund is a program of the Clean Ohio Fund, which restores, protects, and connects Ohio's important natural and urban places by preserving green space and farmland, improving outdoor recreation, and by cleaning up brownfields to encourage redevelopment and revitalize communities. The Clean Ohio Fund is part of the $1.57 billion Ohio Bipartisan Job Stimulus Plan, which aims to create new jobs while laying the foundation for future economic prosperity. In the Job Stimulus Plan $400 million was set aside for the Clean Ohio Fund. The Clean Ohio Assistance Fund is an open cycle program that provides grant dollars for Phase II Environmental Assessment and Brownfield Cleanup/Public Health Projects. To date, 124 Clean Ohio Assistance Fund projects have been awarded totaling $48.6 million. Of the 124 projects, 44 were for cleanup projects which leveraged more than $400 million and are expected to create more than 4,000 jobs. For more information on about the Clean Ohio Assistance Fund visit www.clean.ohio.gov. The Urban Development Division assists communities with place-based redevelopment which creates wealth from personal, business and community successes. The Urban Development Division works to identify the resources and financing necessary to enhance the economic viability of local communities. Working with our partners across business, state and local governments, academia, and the non-profit sector, the Ohio Department of Development works to attract, create, grow, and retain businesses through competitive incentives and targeted investments. Engaged every day in marketing, innovating, investing, and collaborating, the Ohio Department of Development works at the speed of business to accelerate and support the teamwork that is absolutely necessary for success by providing financial, informational, and technical assistance to those making an investment in Ohio’s future. # # #
May 18, 2009
GOVERNOR, PATT- MCDANIEL ANNOUNCE CLEAN OHIO GRANTS TO COMMUNITIES
Projects Invigorate Regional Economies, Generate Jobs for Ohioans
Media contacts: Eileen Turner at (614) 728-6674
or the Communications & Marketing Office at 614.466.2609