Toledo resident says demolition dust still a problem despite efforts to address it

Toledo resident says demolition dust still a problem despite efforts to address it

Lucas County Land Bank says crews have taken steps to limit dust; resident disputes the timeline

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - Last month, residents near the former Doehler-Jarvis property off Smead and Lincoln contacted 13 Action News, complaining that dust from a nearby demolition project was covering their homes and cars. Now, one of those residents says the problem hasn’t gone away.

Mark Chaney said he has called the Lucas County Land Bank four times since the original story aired but has not been able to speak with anyone.

“All this...it’s just as hazardous as of right now. They saying it’s gonna make the community better. Okay, I understand that when it’s done and over with, but as of right now, instead of helping, it’s hurting,” Chaney said.

“And you just get covered with smoke. What time you go back in the house its all over your clothes,” he said.

The demolition site is owned by the Lucas County Land Bank, which is cleaning up the nine-acre property after decades of abandonment.

Land Bank CEO David Mann responded with a statement that reads in part:

“We take the concerns of residents very seriously. The Land Bank has worked extensively with our contractor over the last weeks to maintain multiple streams of water on the debris to limit dust and to move some of the disposal operations off-site. While it is not possible to clean-up a 9-acre concrete site without causing some dust, we expect to be finished in the coming weeks with this work.”

During a visit to the site Thursday, crews were seen spraying water as work continued. A meter attached to a nearby fire hydrant was also present, meant to measure water usage for construction or other temporary needs. It is unclear when those measures were put in place.

Chaney disputes the timeline.

“Not this week. Last week was the last time they cut up rocks and there was no water. They just cut the rocks up. Let the dust fly. I know ain’t no water over here because I’m watching the dust fly over to my house,” Chaney said.

13 Action News also reached out to the City of Toledo, which responded in part:

“The City is supportive of the efforts to redevelop this vacant property. We will continue to support the Land Bank efforts and encourage responsible project management and open communication with the residents throughout the cleanup process.”

Chaney said that response doesn’t feel like enough.

“I feel like if it was any other community like Ottawa Hills, Sylvania, Maumee, they would do the right thing, but seeing that it’s predominantly Black people over here and they look at it as a poor area they just don’t care,” Chaney said.

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