Blighted building slated for demolition

SANDUSKY — Yet another decrepit structure in Sandusky has a decimating date with a wrecking ball. During a recent public meeting, city commissioners formalized plans for a crew to tear down a blighted property at 506 E. Monroe St. near Warren Street across from CVS Pharmacy. "The building was determined to have at least 51% damage in the fall of 2021, which triggered the demolition order," said Nicole Grohe, the city's community development administrator. She estimates the building should get razed sometime later this year. Grohe noted this project comes at a cost of $15,000, an amount covered by federal funds through what's called the Community Development Block Grant. This funding program provides municipalities, like Sandusky's, with resources in hopes of addressing several challenges to develop viable urban communities. "The ultimate goal of the program is to remove slum and blight in local neighborhoods with the intention of remediating safety issues and improving aesthetics," said Grohe, adding how these funds could also get spent on addressing an urgent community need and helping out those living in the low- to medium-income bracket levels. All work circles back to Sandusky's initiative for cleaning up neighborhoods. Since 2015, with other area partners, about 225 decrepit city homes have come crashing down or are contracted to get razed. On a related note, officials also wanted to bundle this project with another rundown property at 431 N. Depot St. But it "was removed from demolition at this time due to a court injunction," Grohe said. "The commercial building had a fire a few years back, leaving the building in poor condition," she added. "The executor of the estate must work toward fixing the property to bring it back into compliance. She is currently working with the building department to do so." -- Appreciate news from your community? Click here to subscribe to the Register.