Ohio to Demolish Thousands of Vacant Buildings

The state is funding a $150 million effort to raze blighted buildings to accelerate revitalization.

1 minute read

December 13, 2022, 7:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Boarded-up facade of vacant brick building in CIncinnati, Ohio

R. Wellen Photography / Cincinnati building

Writing in The Center Square, J.D. Davidson reports that Ohio announced a new list of vacant buildings slated for demolition under a state program designed to eliminate blight and revitalize communities.

“The state added a large list of communities and buildings to the Ohio Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program, announcing 2,277 additional blighted and vacant structures in 42 counties will be demolished,” Davidson explains. The effort is part of a plan to accelerate the process of transforming blighted properties into useful spaces.

“The projects are funded with grants from the $150 million set aside in the state’s two-year budget that passed in 2021. Thirteen counties will also receive an extra $35.3 million to cover expenses in excess of the initial aside grants.” Buildings on the list include two defunct hotels on property owned by the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority, which the Authority plans to replace with an industrial spec building. Another 825 buildings were put on the list in October.

Friday, December 9, 2022 in The Center Square

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

A group of officials stand in a patch of dirt holding golden shovels and white hardhats.

California city breaks ground on transit connector

The project includes three mobility hubs and a pedestrian bridge.

November 2 - Mass Transit

People walking by a brick school in Cambridge.

After public outcry, Massachusetts city releases housing development tracker

Cambridge’s tracker currently shows 250 housing projects in various stages of development.

November 2 - Smart Cities Dive

A rendering of the park, with green grass and a bass sculpture that looks like several tall arches in a row.

40 years after approval, Chicago breaks ground on new park

The park honors Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, the city’s first permanent non-native settler.

November 2 - Block Club Chicago