Applications are now available from the 144 Corridor Housing Initiative (144 CHI) for clearing and demolition of unsightly houses and buildings in each of the four incorporated cities in Greene County served by 144 CHI—Paton, Dana, Grand Junction and Rippey.
Criteria for funding a demo project include an overall plan to improve the property, bids from an established demolition company, asbestos review, proper permitting and approval from the respective city government, and other factors such as hazard removal, enhanced street view and improved aesthetics.
Completed applications must be returned to 144 CHI no later than July 15.
Applications are available at Rippey public lLibrary and Rolling Hills Bank in Rippey, Community State Bank in Paton, Peoples Bank in Grand Junction, and the city hall, light plant and library in Grand Junction.
144 CHI was created in the fall of 2022 with the three-fold purpose of improving, clearing and building in the four communities. Since then, the non-profit organization has awarded $72,000 to 85 property owners who leveraged those improvements into a total investment of $572,000.
The second phase of the mission—clearing—was launched in 2024. Grants were awarded the last two years to a dozen property owners to remove dilapidated houses and clean up the lots where they stood. Total cost of removing these properties was $100,000, a significant economic investment in eastern Greene County.
