Locations have been identified for potential demolitions if the City of Trenton is successful in applying for a Community Development Block Grant. Pictures have been taken of each location and are to be included when the grant request is submitted.
Trenton Building Inspector Wes Barone and Mayor Jackie Soptic were guests on Monday’s Open Line interview on KTTN Radio.
Barone was asked how many property owners would commit funds to help Trenton obtain the local match requirement.
The City Council was informed Monday night that each owner, or a designated contributor, will be asked to provide $500. The council decided $25,000 would be the city’s match. Soptic indicated that the purpose of the demolition program is to remove what she called “slums and blight” in the community.
If the grant is approved at the state level, demolition work will eventually follow. When the site is cleared, the owner retains the vacant lot. The Department of Economic Development uses a scoring method to determine which cities are awarded a grant. Even though Trenton had received a Community Development Block Grant for demolition several years ago, local officials recently learned the city could apply again. Chillicothe is also expected to submit a demolition grant application.
