Ohio Department of Development Director Lisa Patt-McDaniel announced $597,500 in Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund grants Wednesday to four Ohio projects through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The city of Toledo, Colony Historic Theater Association, Famicos Foundation, and the city of Akron will each receive grants for remediation and rehabilitation efforts to remove asbestos.

Last August, the state received $1.8 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for brownfield revitalization efforts. Up to $200,000 in ARRA funding is available to eligible nonprofit and local government entities to remediate asbestos in historic buildings.

“Brownfield redevelopment contributes significantly to the environmental and economic sustainability of our communities,” Patt-McDaniel said. “These awards will help make these treasured buildings in Toledo, Marietta, Akron and Cleveland safer and cleaner, and will strengthen the historic urban fabric of these communities.”

City of Toledo (Lucas County) will receive $200,000 to conduct remediation on the S.S. Willis B. Boyer Museum Ship. The $203,000 project will include the removal of asbestos from the docked ship, which dates back to 1911 and sees an average of 6,000 visitors a year. It also hosts multiple port security exercises. It opened as a museum in 1987.

Hippodrome/Colony Historic Theatre Association (Washington County) will receive $200,000 to conduct remediation on the Colony Theatre in Marietta. The project will include the removal of asbestos in the 1,000-seat theater, which is undergoing an estimated $5 million renovation. The project is expected to create 246 construction jobs and 46 full-time positions. The theatre was built in 1919 and has been vacant since 1985.

Famicos Foundation (Cuyahoga County) will receive $100,000 to conduct remediation on Cleveland’s 1341 East Boulevard Property, built in 1910. The project will include the removal of asbestos as part of a project totaling more than $1.3 million. Rehabilitation of the property supports the revitalization of other historic buildings in the area. The project is expected to create and retain 54 construction jobs.

City of Akron (Summit County) will receive $97,500 to conduct remediation on the Landmark Building. The project will include the removal of asbestos. The Landmark is one of seven historic buildings located at Main and Bowery Streets in downtown Akron that developers are working to rehabilitate and develop into a mixed-use center. The 12-story Landmark, built in 1923, is part of a $20 million project that will include apartments on the upper levels and a restaurant below.

Clean Ohio Funds Assist ClevelandPiqua

The Ohio Department of Development announced that $391,850 in Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grants will go to Cleveland and Piqua for brownfield redevelopment. The awards have already been approved by the Controlling Board.

“Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grants are vital to the ability to reuse brownfield sites around Ohio,” Patt-McDaniel said. “We are continually looking for ways to improve the environment in our communities and spur economic development.”

City of Cleveland (Cuyahoga County) will receive a $191,947 Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grant for a Phase II Environmental Assessment at the East 66th Midtown Redevelopment site. The assessment will determine the environmental suitability of the property and the possible need for any remediation.

City of Piqua (Miami County) will receive a $199,903 Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grant for a Phase II Environmental Assessment at the Piqua Memorial Hospital site. The assessment will determine the environmental suitability of the property and the possible need for any remediation.