Eyesore at corner of East Main Street and Broadway in Shelby coming down
SHELBY – Bart Hamilton couldn't hide his distaste for the dilapidated building at the corner of East Main Street and Broadway.
"I hate that building," said Hamilton, Richland County treasurer and chairman of the county land bank. "I can't even tell you how much I hate it."
He won't have to look at it much longer, though, because demolition on the eyesore began Monday afternoon before a crowd of about 25 people.
The facade of the dilapidated building at the corner of East Main Street and Broadway in Shelby falls Monday afternoon.
The land bank was instrumental in advocating for funding through the Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program. Shelby native Troy Baker, a financial adviser with Edward Jones, stepped up by purchasing four parcels of land on that street corner to make it a public-private project.
Baker initially planned to build a one-story office building there, but said those plans have changed. He did say there will be positive economic development at the site.
Shelby Mayor Steve Schag welcomed the crowd and called the occasion a "truly historic day." He thanked the community partners involved.
"It's a testament to individuals working together in a united effort to bring about a successful outcome," Schag said.
The mayor recognized the land bank and the Baker family.
"The land bank has been a godsend to all of our communities in general and to Shelby in many ways," he said.
He called Troy and Monica Baker "community partners."
"They have poured their hearts into this city," Schag said. "They love their community and it shows in their significant donations. We owe a huge 'thank you' to the Baker family."
Shelby native wanted to give back
Baker said he remembered riding his bike in downtown Shelby some 40 to 45 years ago and remembering how it looked.
He and his wife have stayed loyal to their hometown, returning to Shelby after going off to college.
"For me to be able to play a part in making Shelby a better place for generations to come, including my children and grandchildren, is definitely very heartfelt," Baker said.
Prior to the demolition, several people addressed the crowd. Hamilton elaborated on why he "hated" the building, saying owners were tax delinquent and went through "payment plan after payment plan."
"It was horrible, and then Troy came along," he said. "You want to talk about moving heaven and earth to make something happen."
The facade of the dilapidated building at the corner of East Main Street and Broadway in Shelby falls Monday afternoon.
Hamilton said Baker and his attorney were able to navigate through federal and state tax liens on the property.
"If he wouldn't have done that, I don't know how this ever would have happened, other than me doing a foreclosure on it," the land bank chairman said.
Shawn Carvin, executive director of the Ohio Land Bank Association, also praised the local land bank and executive director Amy Hamrick.
"Pound for pound, it's honestly the best land bank in the state," Carvin said. "It's so impressive to see the amount of work they get done with the small staff they have."
He said the space on the downtown corner needed to be cleared to allow for future economic development.
"This work is never fast. It usually isn't pretty, but once it's done, it's done," Carvin said.
He also recognized State Rep. and former Shelby Mayor Marilyn John, whom he called a "huge advocate" for land banks.
John followed County Commissioner Cliff Mears to the podium and said she has some positive memories of the building, which housed Hicks & Martin, an auto parts store, from 1965-1993.
John said her father went to Hicks & Martin for anything he needed.
After John spoke, it was time for the demolition to start. Schag said most of the work would happen Tuesday, adding when it's done, the site will be shovel-ready.
Hamilton probably spoke for everyone when he said, "We've worked on this a long time, but we're here."
mcaudill@gannett.com
419-521-7219
X: @MarkCau32059251
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Building demolition to lead to economic development in Shelby
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