Land bank names new leader

SANDUSKY — The Erie County land bank stayed in-house to find its next leader. About a week ago, Ellen Schirg — a longtime county treasurer's office employee — received a promotion to run Erie County's land bank, formally known as the land reutilization corporation. "It's an honor to be chosen for this position," Schirg said. "I've seen the impact the land bank can have on our communities, and I'm eager to get started and make a difference for the residents of Erie County." Schirg has worked in the treasurer's office for about seven years now. The lifelong Sandusky resident specializes on overseeing property tax delinquencies. Most recently, since March, Schirg served as the land bank's interim director, replacing Alex Jones, who became Erie County's elections board director. In short, the land bank acquires blighted properties, demolishes decrepit structures and flips land to taxpaying owners. The land then turns into viable properties, helping to fund publicly subsidized offices like libraries and park districts. Schirg's boss, county treasurer Caleb Stidham, pointed out her abilities and versatility as key reasons why she'll succeed. "We are really excited to have Ellen lead the land bank," said Stidham, who oversees land bank operations. "I have tremendous confidence that she will build on the accomplishments of the land bank of the past two years." Lank bank locked in Within the past couple of years, "The land bank came back from a period of dormancy to see renewed activity," Stidham said. Stidham referenced 2022 as a banner year. The rejuvenated organization earmarked more than $150,000 for projects in Huron, Sandusky along with the townships of Perkins and Florence. The projects, with Stidham's commentary, included: • Demolishing an old residential property on Berlin Road in Huron "that will be transformed into a public space for the residents of the Huron area can enjoy" • Razing the former Amirah's Turn/Dog House Bar site, "a troubled property that was the focal point of crime on West Jefferson Street in Sandusky" Additionally, the land bank, with support from Erie County's planning organization, secured nearly $700,000 in funds from the state for two major projects: • Transforming the former Meier's Wine Cellars, which "will be transformed into a mixed-use space that will be a catalyst for development on the Campbell Street corridor in the city of Sandusky" • Tearing down the old Union School House in Vermilion, "which will be demolished to make way for a welcoming green space the community can be proud of at the southern gateway of Vermilion" Officials hope to pursue several others projects this year. Upon entering office in 2021, Stidham pushed county commissioners to approve a resolution, which they did, thus creating a first-of-its-kind dedicated funding source for Erie County's land bank. In short, the land bank receives funds via late fees from people who don't pay their property taxes on time. For those that don't pay at all, a court process typically plays out, which will make the land bank whole. "This is a great win for the residents of Erie County," Stidham said about the program's revival. "The land bank is a crucial tool that will benefit areas with dilapidated and tax-delinquent properties." The land bank previously relied on grant funds — federal, state and local — to pursue its mission. But those opportunities dried up, and without a dedicated funding source, land bank operations remained stagnant throughout several years before Stidham served in this position. Despite the challenges, Stidham vowed to continue looking for grants.