Local cleanup projects awarded millions by Ohio

(WKBN) — Trumbull and Mahoning counties will share in a $106.9 million state grant to help clean up and redevelop Brownfield sites.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik announced Friday the money will disbursed to 22 counties impacting 61 hazardous Brownfield sites.

The Ohio Department of Development is awarding the funding through the Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program , which was created by the DeWine-Husted Administration in 2021.

“There is no easy way to clean up the contamination at these sites; they all need expert remediation that’s too costly for communities to take on alone,” DeWine said in a news release. “Through this program, we’re helping local communities reclaim hazardous properties so that they can be reimagined and redeveloped.”

Mahoning County projects include:

• Youngstown Flea : Awarded $2,680,371. This historic industrial site, originally built in 1870 and now owned by the nonprofit Youngstown Flea, Inc., contains hazardous materials including asbestos and contaminated building materials. Planned activities include asbestos abatement, selective demolition, and the removal of contaminated materials. The project aims to restore and redevelop the site while preserving its historical integrity, creating a mixed-use space for community events and businesses. This effort will generate about 155 new jobs and revitalize the local area.
• South High School Athletic Complex : Awarded $225,138. This project involves the remediation of the South High School Athletic Complex, historically used as a fieldhouse and football field. The city of Youngstown, which owns the property, plans to abate asbestos in the fieldhouse, demolish the fieldhouse and outdoor bleachers, and backfill and grade the site. Spearheaded by the Valley Legends Stadium Consortium, the redevelopment plan includes constructing a 3,000-seat stadium with a turf football field and track. This project aims to provide a community sports facility and stimulate neighborhood revitalization, creating 35 new jobs and promoting local economic development.
• McGuffey Mall : Awarded $560,962. The McGuffey Mall project involves the cleanup and remediation of a historic shopping center site on Youngstown’s East Side. The property, initially built in 1954 and transformed into an indoor mall in 1972, has been vacant and blighted, with environmental contaminants including asbestos-containing materials and other hazardous substances. The project will demolish the existing structures, remove contaminants, and prepare the site for future redevelopment. The Western Reserve Port Authority has acquired the property, with plans to market it for new development under the SiteOhio program, potentially enhancing site accessibility with a proposed extension of U.S. Highway Route 62. The redevelopment aims to create nine new jobs and retain 75 existing positions, contributing to the revitalization of the East Side.

“These funds will help restore unsafe buildings in Mahoning County and ultimately create jobs and drive local economic development,” Senator Al Cutrona said in a news release. “It is crucial that the state continues to invest in the Valley and make it the best place to live, work, and raise a family.”

Trumbull County projects include:

• 200 West : Awarded $1,143,332. This project involves the remediation of a former steel mill site, which has been vacant since 2012 and includes various derelict structures. The site contains environmental contaminants, including metals, petroleum compounds, and coal tar in the soil and groundwater. Planned remediation activities include soil excavation, groundwater treatment, and potential vapor mitigation. Environmental covenants will limit future land use for commercial/industrial purposes and prohibit groundwater extraction for potable purposes. The site will be prepared for future redevelopment, although specific plans are currently unknown. The project is expected to enhance safety and environmental standards, paving the way for potential economic use.
• First Street Former KODU Property : Awarded $165,000. This project involves the assessment of the First Street Former KODU property, historically used for settling ponds and agricultural purposes. The property currently consists of densely vegetated wooded land with a large, active settling pond and three dry former settling ponds. The site includes potential concerns such as unnatural elevation possibly indicative of buried waste. A VAP Phase I Property Assessment has been completed, identifying the need for a Phase II assessment to determine the extent of environmental concerns, including soil and groundwater contamination. The property is intended for potential future use as park or open space, aligning with the Village of Newton Falls Comprehensive Plan. The assessment will facilitate the cleanup and conversion of the site into a community park, supporting environmental and recreational goals.
• Former Peerless Winsmith : Awarded $905,748. This project involves the remediation of a historic industrial site used for electric motor manufacturing from the late 1800s through 2013. The property, now vacant with multiple deteriorated structures, requires environmental cleanup to address contamination from previous industrial activities. The planned remediation includes soil excavation, groundwater treatment and vapor intrusion mitigation through sub-slab depressurization systems. Environmental covenants will be placed on the property to restrict land use and groundwater extraction. The cleanup will facilitate the expansion of a women veteran-owned recycling facility, supporting sustainable waste management and educational initiatives. The project is expected to create 30 new jobs and retain 10 existing positions, contributing to the local economy and community development.
• Trumbull Industries Assessment : Awarded $123,750. This project involves conducting a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment at the former Van Huffel Tube Company site, which operated from the 1930s until 1985. The site, currently owned by Dietz Road Limited Partnership, includes several structures used for warehousing and manufacturing. The assessment aims to identify any environmental concerns to secure a No Further Action letter, allowing the property owner to secure a loan for necessary upgrades. The project will help retain 75 jobs and create 10 new jobs by expanding Trumbull Industries’ operational capacity.

Additional awards throughout the state will be announced in the coming months.

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