How Rules Written for Distressed ‘Rust Belt’ Property May Benefit a Select Few

How Rules Written for Distressed ‘Rust Belt’ Property May Benefit a Select Few By Lucia Walinchus for Eye on Ohio.
Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for Ohio News Connection Collaboration reporting for the Ohio Center for Investigative Journalism-Public News Service Collaboration

On May 12, 2021, Chris and Angela Powers submitted a $4,000 bid for a Lawrence County Land Bank property.

It was above the Auditor's appraised value of $3,340. But the Powers really loved the riverfront site. The owner of an adjoining property had let them camp right next to it for years.

So they bid for the wooded parcel, on the northern bank of the Ohio River, as well as an adjoining parcel - not on the river, but just behind it.

The Powers attended a May 18, 2021 land bank meeting. ...(Read More)