28-05-2025
City approved for vacant housing demolition project
EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio (WKBN) — A new push to clean up East Liverpool is finally gaining momentum after months of delay.
Now, over 30 abandoned homes are slated for demolition as part of an effort to revitalize the city and improve safety for residents.
For years, the city of East Liverpool has battled empty, crumbling homes left behind by a shrinking population but that fight is now getting a powerful boost.
'I have no clue where the city would be without the land bank,' said East Liverpool Mayor Bobby Smith.
More than 30 homes are now targeted for demolition thanks to a state-funded initiative. WKBN reported last year on the city's plans to begin using the state's Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program, but delays caused those plans to stall.
'I met with the land bank last week. There's been delays in the transition from Biden to Trump, of course. It's federal money. That's all taken care of. It's all in place. So now it's just getting the paperwork moving to get the bids out,' Smith said.
Officials say bids are expected to go out soon for the first phase, targeting nine properties in the coming weeks. Ultimately, 32 homes across the city will be torn down.
'32 makes a difference. We're trying to consolidate some of them on one street to make that street better instead of one here or there,' said Smith.
Aside from the eyesore, the structures also pose a safety risk. Last year, firefighters responded to a number of fires at abandoned homes, triggering an arson investigation. But the city says without the assistance, the demolitions wouldn't be possible.
'We tore one house down with some donated money, we get donated money. The average house, even a small house,e is anywhere between $5 to $7,000 to tear one house down. So those 32 — you're looking at over a quarter of a million dollars just for that,' Smith said.
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