Grant For Stabilization of Properties on Main Street Approved

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – City Council authorized an Economic Development Grant Agreement with the Zanesville Muskingum County Port Authority this evening.

The grant is for all activities related to the stabilization of at risk properties located on the 600 block of Main Street. Director of Community Development, Jay Bennett, said the project has been a long time in the works. The properties are in various states of decay and water intrusion is an issue. The Ordinance approved a grant in the amount of 900,000 dollars. 

“A couple months ago we made two proposals to the Council. One is to go forward and demo the buildings. The other was to work through the Port Authority to try to contract stabilization. After several public meetings they made the decision to proceed with the grant,” said Bennett.

Bennett added the properties are in danger if demolition starts and they collapse. He explains the importance of getting a contractor onsite to ensure the safety of the project.

“Still, until you get a contractor onsite to start that work, it’s not secure by any stretch of the imagination. So you go forward and do the best you can, and we’ll see what happens as they get started on it,” he said.

With the decision this evening, Community Development will be proceeding with the work necessary to put district boundaries together and the process of stabilizing the properties.