Clark County sells land near fairgrounds for development

The Board of Clark County Commissioners sold the former National Guard Armory property with the intention being to tear the buildings down and redevelop the it for commercial use.

The former Springfield National Guard Armory at 4400 Laybourne Road near the Clark County Fairgrounds became available in 2009 when the unit decided to move to an armory close to the Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport.

It’s about 4.5 acres of space in total, according to the county.

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“We’ve been working on this project for many years,” Clark County Commissioner Rick Lohnes said. “We believe the land is a prime spot for redevelopment. It’s near one of the busiest interstates in the country and in an area that’s seen major growth over the past five years.”

The commission agreed to sell the property for $1 to the Clark County Land Reutilization Corporation with hopes the land bank will tear down the armory so there can be some use for it.

Previously, the county finalized an agreement to purchase the site for $125,000 from the state earlier this year. Demolition of the former National Guard buildings is expected to begin in the coming weeks. The modernization of the fairgrounds was listed as one of Clark County’s strategic planning goals last year.

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Tom Hale works as both the director of the community and economic development for Clark County and the executive director of the Clark County Land Bank. He said the group is working to redevelop fast so the area can be used again.

“Demolition could be fully complete by the end of November,” he said. “It should be that quick.”

The land bank has already received bids for the project, Hale said.

“We have not certified a contract yet but we are very close to that,” he said. “There is a small amount of abatement that needs to go on here. Once the abatement is complete then demolition.”

The army consists of four buildings that will need to be knocked down, Hale said.

By redeveloping the land, businesses are able to open in the county, he said, and that’s good for everyone.

“It can attract more tourism, attack more tax dollars,” Hale said. “It will be a good thing for people and the community. There will be more resources for them.”

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The area has already seen some development. Love’s Truck Stop and the Prime Ohio II industrial park has been successful, the county says.

Hale said because the location is off U.S. 70 and State Route 41, the area is a prime commercial property.

“This is zoned for commercial and there could be a restaurant, it could be a motel, there’s been a lot of talk about that,” Hale said. “That decision will come after we have conversations with the interested parties.”

The property was annexed into the city previously and is already hooked up to city water and sewer, Hale said. Gas and electric are ready to go at the property as well, he said.

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