Lorain council voted unanimously to authorize a subrecipient agreement with the Lorain County Land Reutilization Corporation to apply a state Brownfield grant toward remediation of the former St. Joseph Hospital site.

The agreement puts roughly $6.5 million in state remediation money under the land bank's control so cleanup work can begin while ownership and sale issues are resolved.

Mayor Troy Bradley told the council the city could not be the direct grant recipient, so the land bank will receive the Brownfield funds and carry out the remediation. Bradley said the property is subject to sheriff sale on Oct. 1 and that the city foreclosed earlier; if the property does not sell the city hopes the land bank ultimately acquires it so the remediation can proceed. Bradley said prior city expenditures and in‑kind contributions will be credited toward the grant match.

Council discussion and staff comments clarified key financial details: the mayor said the Brownfield grant is "about 6 and a half million dollars." City officials and grant counsel told council the state's development agency agreed the city's prior work and other in‑kind services total about $1,616,000 and may be applied toward local match requirements, which the administration said prevents the need for an immediate cash contribution from the city. Councilmember comments noted that the process required cooperation among multiple agencies and that demolition of the on‑site parking garage and related asbestos abatement are priority first steps.

City staff and the mayor said the process will move in tandem with pending sheriff sales and a separate consulting contract authorized the same evening to fast‑track construction documents so work can begin promptly if ownership transfers. Ray Kerian, identified in discussion as a safety/service official involved in project coordination, told council the goal is for heavy equipment to be on site this year if the sale and procurement steps align.

The council acted by passing the ordinance introduced on the agenda (Item O) and a related professional services authorization (Item P) to begin consultant work, voting unanimously on both measures.

What happens next: staff said the land bank will receive the grant funds and pursue remediation work; council and administration said they will continue coordinating permits, asbestos abatement, and bidding so demolition and site cleanup can proceed once legal and procurement steps are complete.