'Unstable' building getting demo'd

SANDUSKY — A collective project coordinated by two local governments resulted in the demolition order of a single, but relatively large, blighted building. During a recent public meeting, Sandusky city commissioners finalized plans to raze the structure at 1228 W. Osborne St. It's located near North Depot Street by Sandusky's train station. Sandusky officials received help from the Erie County Land Reutilization Corp., better known as the land bank, in pursuing this project. Nicole Grohe, the city's community development administrator, described the site as "condemned and structurally unsound." "Earlier this year, a wall caved in, making the building unstable," Grohe said. The building once housed the Sandusky Baking Co. and an ambulance service. More recently, a neighbor told the Register a person repaired go-karts and other vehicles from inside there. Grohe said the space caved in when this entity operated there. "It is unsafe for people to be in or around the building, as it is unknown how long the supporting walls will stay intact, as the integrity of the building is in poor condition and severely compromised with the wall cave-in," Grohe added. Regarding the cost, it should exceed $10,000. Grohe couldn't provide a more specific amount, as, "We need to get an asbestos survey done. This could drastically change the price if asbestos is present." Officials intend to cover these costs with federal funds previously secured known as Community Development Block Grant dollars. Sandusky locked down about $730,000 for 2022. The program provides municipalities, like Sandusky's, with monetary resources in hopes of addressing several challenges to develop viable urban communities. It also aims to improve the quality of life for those falling in the low- to medium-income bracket levels. Grohe also provided a tentative timeline of demolition-related activities. "The city would like to get the building demolished by the end of the year, but this will be dependent on several things including weather, contractor availability and how smoothly the transfer of the property occurs." All work circles back to Sandusky's initiative for cleaning up neighborhoods. Since 2015, with other area partners, about 230 decrepit city homes have come crashing down or are contracted to be razed. "The city sees blight as being important to be remediated on many levels," Grohe said. "In this case, the building poses a safety hazard and eyesore to the public. The area, also being located on a corner block in a residential neighborhood, makes it a good candidate for a public use for that neighborhood."