Chillicothe & Ross County — The “Land Bank” held its bimonthly meeting on Monday, and reported that it continues to firm up its ability to acquire and demolish dilapidated properties and help clean up polluted sites.
Formally named the Ross County Land Reutilization Corporation, the Land Bank held its every-other-month meeting with the Ross County Commissioners on January 12th, 2026.
Chillicothe Mayor Luke Feeney is the chairman, and he explained the progress and solidification of the Land Bank in the below interview video and his briefing to Chillicothe Council.
He said the funding of the Land Bank since it was founded eight or nine years ago has been largely from grants, with their fluctuations affecting how much and what the Land Bank can do. But now they also get funds from delinquent taxes on properties they deal with, and the Land Bank “is now hitting its stride.”
It has expended out from Chillicothe, and he said this week they have demolitions happening in Roxabell and Kingston.
Feeney also pointed out that their goal is not necessarily demolition, but to help create housing stock. To do that they have worked with Ross County Community Action and Housing for Humanity.
Another new development is being able to “jump in” and get properties through Sheriff’s auctions, where foreclosed properties go up for public sale. Feeney said that if no one buys a property at the second attempt to auction it, the Land Bank can request it. Support from the county prosecutor and treasurer helps with that.
Feeney also pointed out that the Land Bank is coordinating a brownfield cleanup in the former CSX railyard next to the city Transit facility on East 7th Street. He said dirt is moving now, along with testing, and remediation should be done in a year.
The mayor said the Land Bank is always looking for properties to clean up, whether to demolish or find a buyer to renovate. They also accept donated properties. He said to contact Tricia Hall, the city Economic Development Director. Properties that they have for sale are listed online.
The next meeting will be March 9th. Find the page on the Land Bank on the city’s website, along with its agendas and minutes. Posts about Land Bank actions like demolitions are sometimes on the city’s Facebook page. You can also watch Land Bank meetings in the Ross County commissioners’ YouTube videos.
