Dayton accelerates demolition work, shifts funds to meet state deadline and approves $1.95M contract amendment

City staff told the Dayton City Commission on Tuesday that the city will accelerate demolition work and prioritize Ohio Department of Development (ODOD)–funded properties after the state indicated some funds must be spent by June 2025.

The change in priority comes as the commission approved the city manager’s recommendations, including a third amendment to the city’s demolition services agreement that “authorizes an additional $1,950,000 in funding,” City staff told the commission.

The vote to approve the city manager’s recommendations passed with Mayor Mims, Commissioner Shaw, Commissioner Fairchild and Commissioner Turner Sloss voting aye; one commissioner was excused.

Staff summary and why it matters

Steve Gondell, director for the Department of Planning, Neighbors and Development, told the commission the department recorded 28 demolitions in March: “7 were ARPA, 3 were general fund, 18 were, ODOD.” He said the March activity brought the year-to-date total to 62 demolitions and that the department has sped up pre-demolition steps — asbestos surveys and remediation — to move more properties into demolition quickly.

Gondell said the Montgomery County Land Bank received a second round of ODOD funding that listed a June 2025 expenditure deadline for that round. “They were then notified by the state that those funds had to be exhausted by June of 20 25,” he said, and added the city will “proceed with the ODOD demolitions… and pause where we can the ARPA demolitions and fire pile removals, so that we get through those 100, and 4 ODOD demolitions.”

Details from staff briefing

- March demolitions: 28 (7 ARPA, 3 general fund, 18 ODOD). - Year-to-date demolitions: 62. - Piles: staff removed nine fire piles in March and added two; the active pile list stood at 75 at the March update. - Pipeline and remediation: staff reported starting title work on 103 properties; 197 properties have had title work started for the year, 147 have had asbestos surveys, and 46 have completed abatement and are ready for demolition. Gondell said the department has reduced the time between survey, remediation and inspection by about three weeks to accelerate work on ODOD properties. - Geography: recent and upcoming demolitions are spread across the city and nearby contractual properties, including Residence Park, Greenwich Village, Walnut Hills and Belmont. Staff said some properties originally expected to be later in the Dayton Recovery Plan schedule were advanced because they fit ODOD criteria.

Contract amendment and formal action

City staff described Item A2 on the agenda as a third amendment to the demolition services agreement with Bladecutters Lawn Service. Miss Lawton, presenting the item, said the amendment “authorizes an additional $1,950,000 in funding,” and extends the contract through June 2026, bringing the contract total to $2,930,000. Lawton said the funds will cover emergency remediation, asbestos regulation, debris removal, grading and utility coordination, and that Bladecutters was selected through an RFQ process.

The commission approved the city manager’s recommendations by voice vote; the clerk read the resolution and the commission recorded ayes from Mayor Mims, Commissioner Shaw, Commissioner Fairchild and Commissioner Turner Sloss. One commissioner was excused from the meeting.

Discussion, directions and follow-up

Commissioners asked staff for updates on specific sites, including 300 Fernwood, 203 Grove and the Cornell Market case (the market has a pending trial and staff said they will notify residents about the court date and ways to submit victim-impact statements). Commissioners also asked whether the city could secure certain problem properties with barriers or fencing and charge owners; staff said they would coordinate with the city manager’s office on those options and provide follow-up information.

Staff described Nordale Park Shelter as a recently removed structure that had been damaged by fire and vandalism; public works will work with neighborhoods on visioning for the site’s future but no design or replacement had been approved by the commission during the meeting.

Ending

Staff said the shift to prioritize ODOD-funded demolitions is driven by the state timeline and capacity limits; commissioners and staff asked the city manager’s office to keep the commission informed about progress and any additional assistance the city might request from the state to extend deadlines or increase vendor capacity. The commission approved the city manager’s recommendations, including the Bladecutters contract amendment, during the meeting.