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The razing of the
Collingwood Manor Apartments came about as a result of a
partnership between the Lucas County Land Bank and the City
of Toledo. The cost of the demolition was borne by both
parties – the Landbank for $73,000 and the City of Toledo’s
general fund for $50,000.
The Land Bank, established
in 2010 by the State of Ohio, was able to seize the property
– back taxes amounted to approximately $250,000 – according
to Lucas County Treasurer Wade Kapszukiewicz. “This will
enable us to move forward,” said Kapszukiewicz. “There has
been a spiral of disinvestment here. Value was bleeding out
of the neighborhood. By demolishing the property, we can
stop the erosion of value in this neighborhood and, if only
the demolition happens, it’s still a win for the
neighborhood.”
The property had been on
the demolition list since 2007 and until recently there were
no funds to start the project. The buildings, which had 44
units in each structure, had exteriors which were no longer
stable due to “freeze-thaw” damage.
Toledo City Councilman
Steve Steel, another resident of the Old West End, noted
that while the Land Bank in this particular case could do no
more than see to it that the buildings were demolished would
have the opportunity in the future to save such properties
rather than take them down. “We have a tool to preserve,”
said Steel.
There are not yet any
plans for future development on the site although both the
city and the county are seeking help in that direction.
“We are asking partners to
come and help prepare this area for the next use,” said
Hicks-Hudson.
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