Summit County Executive Russ Pry Launches Waiver Demolition Program

On Monday, September 24, 2007, Summit County Executive Russell M. Pry’s Department of Community and Economic Development launched the County of Summit Waiver Demolition Program, an initiative designed to eliminate blight and decay throughout Summit County.

The County of Summit Waiver Demolition Program is geared toward the clearance of vacant and deteriorated structures, such as: barns, garages, homes, sheds, Etc. Through this program, the County of Summit will contribute up to $7,500 towards demolition costs, including asbestos assessment and abatement activities associated with residential sites with multiple structures.

“In most cases, the $7,500 allowance will result in no cost to the property owner,” explained Summit County Executive Russell M. Pry. “However, if the price should rise above the $7,500 allowance the property owner will be responsible for the remainder of the demolition costs.”

Upon a request for demolition, the County of Summit will provide property owners with waiver forms to be signed permitting the destruction. Once the waiver is signed, the County of Summit Department of Community and Economic Development will work with utility companies and contractors to coordinate the demolition process, as well as provide on-site inspection of all demolition activity. Once the demolition is completed, the land continues to be owned and maintained by the property owner.

“I am very excited about offering this new program to citizens,” added Pry. “I believe it will have a tremendous effect on reducing and/or eliminating the blight and decay in Summit County.”

The County of Summit Waiver Demolition Program is being administered through the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development Community Development Funds and is only available to citizens living outside the cities of Akron, Barberton and Cuyahoga Falls.

Property owners interested in taking advantage of the County of Summit Waiver Demolition Program should contact the Summit County Department of Community and Economic Development at 330-643-8760, or click on http://www.co.summit.oh.us/executive/dev.htm.