Rutland Village Seeks Funding to Demolish Former Gas Station

Rutland Village Seeks Funding to Demolish Former Gas Station

RUTLAND, Ohio — The Rutland Village Council has passed a resolution authorizing the Village of Rutland, in partnership with Tetra Tech, to apply for funding through the Ohio Brownfield Remediation Program to demolish the former Joe’s Country Market.

Council Resolution 2022-23 recognizes the immediate and ongoing hazards to the health and safety of the general public and supports the application for funding to complete site studies, remove underground storage tanks, and demolish structures on the property of the former Joe’s Country Market. The resolution does not authorize Village ownership of the property, nor does it authorize the expenditure of Village funds in the completion of the project.

“It is hopefully soon to be a bitter sweet moment for the Village of Rutland. The Joe’s Country Market once served the community for a number of years, offering essentials from gasoline, to milk to bread,” comments Mayor Eblin. “Known to locals as “Miller’s”, the store brings back many childhood memories. Our community has missed this store and always will, but the time to abate the abandoned eyesore is long overdue.”

Mayor Eblin explains that a number of steps will need completed prior to obtaining funding, and cannot immediately guarantee a successful completion of the project.

“Existing liens and tax delinquencies may complicate the application process,” comments Mayor Eblin. “We will make our best effort to pursue funding notwithstanding these hurdles.”

Mayor Eblin will soon sign an executive order directing the Village Police Department and Village Service Department to board up windows and doors to deter entry by trespassers.

Once initial paperwork is completed, the application process will begin. This story is developing and updates will be provided as they come available.