AP Photo Bellaire Local School District Superintendent Derrick McAfee, Belmont County Treasurer and Chairman of the Belmont County Land Reutilization Corporation Katherine Kelich, Community Improvement Corporation Executive Director Crystal Lorimor, and Bellaire Local School District Treasurer Cathy Moore.

BELLAIRE — The Bellaire Local School District recently acquired properties on the corner of Guernsey Street and 35th Street in Bellaire.

Superintendent Derrick McAfee said, “We were so lucky to have the opportunity to acquire these properties. Now that they are in our possession, we are focused on the future of this site. Luckily, our friends at the CIC and the Belmont County Land Reutilization Corporation are partnering with us to clean- up and develop this property for the betterment of the schools and community.”

The Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) of Belmont County, Ohio, assisted them in an application so they will receive asbestos testing and other environmental assessments, if needed, at no cost to the school district. Since the properties also have abandoned homes and buildings, the CIC reached out to Katherine Kelich, Belmont County Treasurer and Chairman of the Belmont County Land Reutilization Corporation.

The three organizations are now working together to demolish the buildings at no cost to the school district and taxpayers, so the properties can be used for future development by the school.

This project builds on the Vision Plan that the CIC helped Bellaire create in 2020. The CIC is a non-profit economic development organization that helps communities, existing businesses, and people who are wanting to start businesses. With this project, they are helping with the assessment phase, clean-up, and connecting the school to other opportunities and resources to re-use that property.

This also builds on projects the Belmont County Land Reutilization Corporation has been doing throughout the County and in Bellaire. “The Land Bank is an important tool and resource for these projects. For the safety of the community, these dilapidated structures need to be properly demolished in accord with the Ohio EPA guidelines. Through this partnership, not only can the Land Bank save the school district money but also the taxpayers money by demolishing these structures at no cost to the district.”

“This is an exciting project we are happy to be part of in Bellaire,” said Crystal Lorimor, executive director of the CIC. “This project helps the school district and the downtown area. Superintendent Derrick McAfee and Treasurer Cathy Moore are always excellent partners to work with. They are always looking for new opportunities and wanting to make sure their students and teachers are looking to the future.”