County OKs demolition contracts

By DENISE GRANT

Staff Writer

The Hancock County commissioners awarded two contracts Tuesday to Hume Supply, Lima, for the demolition of several buildings along North Main Street in Findlay.

Work should begin in the third week of August, and the company said it will take about 45 days to complete.

Hume Supply was by far the lowest bidder on the project. The company bid $33,567 for the demolition of buildings at 115, 117, 119, 121, 123, 125 and 131 N. Main St., and $4,650 for the demolition of a building at 120 N. Main St.

Bids went as high as $128,300 for the demolition of the multiple buildings, and up to $24,950 to tear down 120 N. Main St. In all, 15 bids were received for the work.

Steve Wilson, project manager for the Hancock County Engineer's Office, said money from the county's Moving Ohio Forward Grant will pay for the demolition of all the buildings, except for 120 N. Main St. Money from the county's flood-control fund will paid for the demolition of that building.

Hancock County has nearly $10 million in its flood fund. The money comes from a portion of county sales tax revenue, and $1.8 million paid into the fund by the City of Findlay from income tax collections.

Money from the Moving Ohio Forward Grant came from a settlement with five of the largest mortgage banks in the nation. Facing government lawsuits over alleged foreclosure abuses, fraud and deceptive mortgage practices, the banks agreed to settle. Participating in the settlement are Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Citibank, Wells Fargo and GMAC/Ally.

A total of $75 million in demolition funds will be distributed among Ohio's 88 counties. The county is eligible for $406,000 from the Moving Ohio Forward Grant.

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County OKs demolition contracts