Developer taking on Dayton’s toughest derelict properties
By Steve Bennish, Dayton Daily News, Ohio | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
He's taking over abandoned industrial and commercial properties with market savvy, invests the millions -- including more than
As for economic potential, the turnarounds mean expanded employment and payroll. Besides that, they're often the ones in view from interstates and major thoroughfares. Reuse has an out-sized impact on improving the city's image.
"There's more numbers in residential blight, but these are larger and more visible," said
The land bank is funded with
Heitz has been the land bank's major mover on the industrial/commercial side of the program. He also works closely with city of
"It's very exciting -- the few we have done and the progress we have made in the short time," Rice said.
Bringing properties back to life
"A guy like Heitz isn't afraid of that," Grauwelman said.
"It takes an individual with knowledge of how to bring properties back to life," said
Heitz, a former West Virginia State University basketball player and avid long-distance cyclist, stands a towering 7 feet tall. The properties he's acquired have towering problems -- or so they seem.
The
But nearly all of them have quick highway on-ramp access. Chainsaws work wonders on years of undergrowth, required environmental studies can turn up fewer real issues than imaginations conjured over the years, and good lighting and fencing will scatter vagrants.
Of the first eight properties in
Other high-profile demolitions by Heitz include the
Heitz is preparing to demolish the vandalized and fire-scorched
"For a piece of property that has been an eyesore for years, finally we can tear the building down and put up a building and put people to work," Clouse said.
Herring's mother has complained about the derelict property. Now, with the brush cleared, repairs to buildings underway, and fence repairs, it looks like things are moving in the right direction. Herring thanks Heitz.
"He's a man of his word," Herring said. "He's taking care of what he said he would."
A towing company has a lease with an option to buy one of the industrial buildings at
Acreage in the 800 block of
Typically, Grauwelman said, the properties are upside down with delinquent real estate taxes. The land bank sponsors the properties through foreclosure and enters into an agreement with Heitz in which he agrees to take ownership after the properties are foreclosed. Heitz pays the processing fee and begins work.
The land bank is off to a good start, Grauwelman said. It's handled the eight commercial/industrial properties in
'
At 63, Heitz has no intention of slowing down. He's lining up many more blighted, overlooked potential gems.
His motivation? He believes it will work. And he intends to make money, too. Besides, he loves the
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Heitz should know. He worked for a time in the real estate trade during the
"Back when, everybody said
Heitz is also experienced in investment banking. After beginning his professional career as an independent insurance agent for 11 years in
After that, he settled in
Height runs in the family, he notes. His nephew is two-time All-Star NBA player
Heitz, point man and boss of the family business, runs a tight crew. He has help from son Cory and daughter Jordan who handle research and administrative business matters.
"We're small, but we get a lot done," Heitz said. "We just want to improve
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