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Local News

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Partnership buys flood-prone Findlay properties for $300K
LaRiche Toyota-Subaru
By JOY BROWN

STAFF WRITER

A flood control planning group, using $300,000 in state grant money, has bought seven flood-prone Findlay properties that will be demolished.

Those parcels, and others the Northwest Ohio Flood Mitigation Partnership plans to buy along the Blanchard River in Findlay and Ottawa, will be turned into green space or be used to build walls or earthen levees.

The first seven properties bought, which were all residences, include 211 Clinton Court for $18,000; 707 E. Main Cross St. for $96,000; 200 and 202 N. Cory St. for $37,000; 122 Taylor St. for $11,000; 210 Meeks Court for $37,000; and 817 E. Main Cross St. for $101,000.

The Partnership is using Sharon Rooney of Rooney & Associates Real Estate to be its buyer's agent.

With a portion of a $3 million Ohio Capital Improvement Legislative Grant that was received in August, the Partnership also expects to close on 13 other properties by the end of this month, according to Partnership President Tony Iriti, and is working on contracting for an additional four.

About 45 Findlay properties, located in places where flood control projects will likely be built, are being scrutinized by the Partnership for purchase and demolition, Iriti said. The properties are being targeted based on conceptual designs introduced to the public in September.

In coming weeks, Iriti said, a similar conceptual design and public presentation will happen in Ottawa, providing an initial "footprint" for planners to target properties there.

The Partnership is primarily using the state money to pay for ongoing flood control studies in the Blanchard River watershed, but property purchases have always been in the works because while the federal government has pledged to pay up to 65 percent of any flood control projects, no federal money can be used to buy property for them.

The state grant money "must be spent or assigned by June 30, 2010," according to Partnership assistant Leigh Esper.

Once the state grant funding runs out, remaining Findlay properties will be purchased with Hancock County sales tax money, Iriti said.

The Partnership's property acquisition program is voluntary.

"When we got the state money, we sent out a letter to the entire (Findlay) target area ... explaining that we had a limited pot of money to buy places, so if they wanted to (participate), the best thing was to call in early," he said.

Some of the first seven residences the Partnership bought were occupied, and tenants have been relocated. Iriti said that under the federal Uniform Relocation Act, all voluntary sales involving tenants must meet guidelines that involve finding people comparable, safe residences to move to.

The next anticipated buyouts will mostly involve commercial properties with a handful of renters, Iriti said.

Money also will be spent on demolition, which has its own state and federal rules regarding environmental and historical impact.

Indianapolis-based American StructurePoint has been contracted to perform initial environmental assessments. The second phase of such environmental preparatory work will be performed by Malcolm Pirnie, based in White Plains, N.Y., which is already under contract with Findlay.

The Partnership has been in contact with the Ohio Historic Preservation Office, too.

"Years ago, Findlay designated all buildings on Main Street, from about Center Street to Lima Avenue, as an historic district," said Iriti. The Historic Preservation Office "knows the situation we're looking at from the river on up to Clinton Court, where places have flooded so many times the historic integrity is gone," he said.

The National Environmental Policy Act, however, requires that anything from designated historic sites be saved if at all possible.

The act "requires you to come up with three alternatives" in such situations, Iriti explained. "Those alternatives ask you, 'how can you avoid it, if you can't avoid it, how can you minimize it, and if you can't minimize it, how can you mitigate it,'" he said.

Minimizing, for instance, could involve "pulling out historic building features and building those into the (flood control) project later on," said Iriti.

Because so many steps are involved, Iriti said he does not know when demolition of any purchased properties will begin.

"Some (buildings) that are not on Main Street may come down pretty quickly," he said.

Any Findlay and Ottawa properties purchased by the Partnership won't remain under its ownership forever. When the group dissolves, as organizers plan to do at the end of 2010, the properties will be turned over to whatever board, organization or municipality is designated to oversee construction and maintenance of flood control projects.

The Partnership is also working on Findlay's behalf with flood-prone properties the city previously bought with Federal Emergency Management Agency money.

Federal rules prohibit anything from being built on land bought with that federal money. It's a rule the city wasn't aware of when it began buying as much property as it could, and as quickly as it could, from residents ravaged by the August 2007 flood.

The Partnership is working with Sen. George Voinovich to try to get around that rule.

Brown: 419-427-8496,

Send an e-mail to Joy Brown


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11 Comments (2 pages)

Latest comments listed first.
Interested Observer wrote:
Refinance appraisals...
“ Chriss - I'm sure your aware of this, but refi appraisals aren't worth the paper they're printed on to determine a true market value for a property. When the appraiser knows the number that the lender and homeowner need in order to make the refi make sense, it skews their objectivity and they simply find comps to justify what ever value they need. Appraisers should never be allowed to know the number that is needed out of the appriasal. ”
Sunday, November 15, 2009 8:22:24 PM
chriss wrote:
Auditor Site not fully accurate
“ Doug- I wouldn't take too much to heart with the auditor website. While it correctly reflects sales, its property values are a bit "off". My home was refinanced two years ago and the value was 105,000. However the auditor's site show my home value estimated at just above 50k that same year. That's a big difference which I am interested to see how much it changes as they are re evaluating my property this year for their records. Knowing my luck, my house which has sunk in value to just under 70,000 will probably be valued at over 100k on the auditor's site. lol! ”
Saturday, November 14, 2009 9:11:44 AM
Barry wrote:
Findlay Flooding
“ Water sheds are just that "Water Sheds", hence the name. People ignore the obvious as long as it does not distract them from their focus. In this case its money. Rather that thinking ahead to make Findlay a longterm place that businesses and families want to live and prosper in, it was much easier to keep building near the Blanchard water shed and ignore the hazards. With global warming effecting weather patterns (unless your a Republican who does not believe science facts) reality must be the true focus. Its pay me a little now or pay me much-much more when weather over runs the water sheds and detroys more lives. Bite the bullet, spend the money to dredge the river, build 15-foot burms or dikes. In the lower areas develop a deep chain of quarry system that can collect run-off water in the wet months, then when the drier summer months arrive the water can be used by communities and farms to improve properties and crops. Buying up damaged homes and property should not be the end all but the beginning. We will see how this state water shed project goes. If the future emulates the past history nothing significant will be done. I really-really hope I'm wrong, but I sure won't bet on it. ”
Friday, November 13, 2009 11:28:10 PM
D Sparks wrote:
Where does the water go next time?
“ Now the city seems to be concerned that it can't build in these flood areas. If they build these areas in the flood plane up doesn't that create a new flood plane? All these studies and all we get are educated dummys! ”
Thursday, November 12, 2009 11:28:11 PM
Previous Owner... wrote:
707
“ As the previous owners of 707, I would ask that you practice the art of putting yourself in another person's shoes... you do not know all the details and can not know them. Rest assured, our pockets aren't bulging with cash. We made it through this by the grace of God and nothing else. I pray often that this is a learning experience for the city of Findlay and that in the future such damage can be prevented. we want the best resolution for the home owners and the residents of this area as well. ”
Thursday, November 12, 2009 9:14:32 PM
Interested Observer wrote:
Mystery Market....
“ I'm with Doug. Is there a new, vastly improved housing market in Findaly that I'm not aware of? How in the world can a property that was destroyed by flood waters appreciate 24K in the last two years in this the worst real estate market in the last several decades??? I guess when the money being used to purchase the property is basically free to those using it, it doesn't matter how much their over paying for the property. Looks like the partnerships "buyer's agent" let them down. A buyer's agent is supposed to have the buyer's best interest in mind. I can't see where they were well represented in this case. More properties could have been purchased with the overage. Typical bureaucratic waste... ”
Thursday, November 12, 2009 4:39:24 PM
Doug wrote:
Confused!!
“ Looking at the County Auditors web site, it says the property at 707 E Main Cross is valued at 94 grand and was bought using tax payer money for 96 grand! In 2007 it was bought for 72 grand and flooded in 2008! A flooded destroyed property that increased 24 grand? Am I missing something here?

And we wonder why we are in the financial mess we are in!!!! I didn't bother to look yo the others! Too depressing!

I'll add to "still hopings" thoughts, lets charge say 100 bucks per person, "there are still plenty of "rich" people in Findlay" they can get a quick training on a wrecking ball and have one swing per 100 bucks! Of course lets use a ball the size of a bowling ball so there are plenty of opportunities, and donate the proceeds to a good charitable cause. ”
Thursday, November 12, 2009 12:20:20 PM
Joy Brown wrote:
Demolishing flooded homes
“ To "Pretty toes":

I've been told that demolishing flood-damaged homes, bought by agencies or government, takes so long because of one simple factor: beaurocracy. State and federal guidelines include a substantial checklist of things that have to be done before that can take place. Professionals, credentialed by the government, must be hired to offer assessments. Potential environmental hazards, like asbestos, must be carefully removed. Anything structural that is deemed "historical" must be preserved and handled properly. It's all part of the process involved when you're dealing with government funding. ”
Thursday, November 12, 2009 12:17:00 PM
private wrote:
crazy
“ I do find it pretty crazy that there are still homes all over this town that are now abandoned since the hundred year flood. There must be all kinds of red tape involved with something like this. I am also surprised that The Courier hasnt reported anything about the 8 property's that were bought with Federal grant money on Main St North of the bridge. It is to my understanding that these property owners must vacate the premises by the end of this month. ”
Thursday, November 12, 2009 11:48:34 AM
pretty toes wrote:
demo homes
“ just a simple question..why is it that it has taken so very -very long to demo the flood prone house's an the like? that was a few years back. ”
Thursday, November 12, 2009 10:32:26 AM
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2/9/2010 1:17:57 PM
SNOW REMOVAL wrote in article "Officials say stuck cars may be towed":
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2/9/2010 12:42:55 PM
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Get Fit in 2010!
News Briefs D.C. trip delayed
A trip to Washington, D.C. that Findlay and Ottawa officials were planning to make this week has been postponed because of the inclement weather.

Findlay Mayor Pete Sehnert said officials have rescheduled the trip for Feb. 23 to meet with a lobbying group and congressional representatives regarding federal spending on flood control projects.

Fostoria requires clearing sidewalks
FOSTORIA -- Fostoria residents are responsible for removing snow and ice from sidewalks within 12 hours of a storm, according to police Capt. Patrick Brooks.

The city code covers residential owners or tenants, and business owners of properties which abut a sidewalk.

An offense is a minor misdemeanor, with a fine of up to $100. Each day constitutes a separate offense.

Library in Forest reschedules event
FOREST -- Because of the expected inclement weather, the Forest-Jackson Public Library has rescheduled its Valentine luncheon planned for Thursday to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 18.

Reservations are required. Anyone with questions can call the library at 419-273-2400.

Disc golf tourney set for Saturday
The Ray Heverling Charity Ice Bowl Tournament has been rescheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Riverbend Recreation Area, off Ohio 568 east of Findlay.

Registration begins at noon.

The tournament was canceled last Saturday because of a snowstorm.

The Disc Golf Community Association, in cooperation with the Hancock Park District, sponsors the event. Proceeds go to the Family Center of Findlay-Hancock County.

For more information contact Nathan Buck at p_nate@thecatalystcc.com or 419-306-7405. Entry fee is $20. Additional donations are accepted.

Housing Authority meeting postponed
Because of an expected winter storm this week, the Hancock Metropolitan Housing Authority has canceled its regular board meeting scheduled for Thursday. It will be held at 8 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 18 at the Family Center.

Fostoria library to close Monday
FOSTORIA -- Kaubisch Memorial Public Library will be closed Monday, Feb. 15, in observance of Presidents Day.

Crime Of The Week
Findlay/Hancock County Crime Stoppers is looking for information about a break-in at the Arlington Pharmacy, 200 Main St., at 12:51 a.m. Dec. 28.

A glass pane in the front door of the business was shattered, and entry was made. Once inside, the perpetrators took prescription medications and fled on foot.

Two white males were seen running from the business. The males were possibly in their late teens to early 20s, and possibly entered a vehicle.

People with information about this or any other crime that would lead to an arrest or indictment will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Crime Stoppers can be called weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 419-425-TIPS or 419-425-8477. Callers can remain anonymous.

The Web site is www.hancockcrimestoppers.org.