Condemned Canfield house undergoing rehabilitation

Staff report

CANFIELD

A house once described as deplorable is now off Mahoning County’s condemned list and on its way to a new beginning.

Debra Bish, corporate vice president of marketing for First Place Bank, released a statement Monday saying that 535 Brookpark Drive has undergone a major cleanup to prepare the home for a complete rehabilitation.

The home, which is in foreclosure through First Place Bank, was vacated in October 2009 after Betsy Spin Holowach, 33, and her now ex-husband, Brian Spin, 39, were found living there amid garbage, mold and animal and human waste.

Also living there were their two small children and at least 12 dogs and cats.

The bank spent about three months and $60,000 to bring the property back to code with the Mahoning County District Board of Health and the city of Canfield.

The work included: removal of all debris, floor coverings, wall coverings, kitchen and bathrooms; replacement of the entire roof to include new shingles and sheeting; completion of all cleaning and air-scrubbing to achieve satisfactory air quality; a specialized painting and sealing process to ensure acceptable air quality.

“First Place went above and beyond to get this property ready for rehab and, ultimately, a sale,” John Hallas, registered sanitarian with the Mahoning County District Board of Health, said in a news release. “We are interested to see all of the improvements that are scheduled for the next 60 days.”

The rehab will include new drywall, flooring, cabinets, windows, bathrooms and a kitchen, as well as a new driveway and landscaping.

The property should be ready for sale late this spring, the news release said.