BELLAIRE, Ohio — Philanthropist and Bellaire native Donn Sinclair updated Bellaire Village Council on Thursday, July 16, on the Sinclair Foundation’s progress revitalizing the Rose Hill neighborhood through demolition of blighted properties and construction of new homes.
Sinclair said the organization’s effort began after seeing Ohio television commercials encouraging families to relocate to the state.
“The neighborhoods that they showed for people to move to did not look like the neighborhood that I knew and grew up in,” Sinclair said. “The neighborhood I knew and grew up in looked much better 50 or 60 years ago than it does today.”
The foundation launched the project in the spring of 2025 with the goal of removing blighted homes before constructing new ones.
“What we’re trying to do is tear down as many blighted homes as we can, as fast as possible,” he said.
Sinclair Foundation Reaffirms Commitment to Rose Hill Project
Although the project has encountered delays, Sinclair said the foundation remains committed to building six new homes in Bellaire over the next three years.
“We said in November we would build at least three. If everything went smoothly, we would build six,” Sinclair said. “Well, it hasn’t gone smoothly, but we’re still going to build six.”
Sinclair said the foundation remains committed to Bellaire through 2028.
“It’s a three-year project,” he said. “We said from the beginning that we were here for 2026, 2027 and 2028.”
He said the foundation also plans to partner with the Bellaire Public Library to offer seminars on homeownership, mortgage financing, grants and low-interest rehabilitation loans.
The new homes are expected to be valued at approximately $250,000.
Land Bank Delays Continue
A day earlier, Sinclair questioned Belmont County commissioners about why the county has not moved forward with his offer to donate $200,000 to demolish dilapidated structures through the Belmont County Land Reutilization Corporation, commonly known as the land bank.
Commissioners said properties under the land bank’s jurisdiction must follow a competitive bidding process for demolition work, while Sinclair has a demolition contractor he would like to use.
Sinclair said he remains frustrated with what he described as a lack of clear procedures.
“We still don’t understand,” Sinclair said. “Based upon the Ohio Public Records Act requests that we have sent them and they have responded to, there are no protocols or procedures that prevent them from doing this.”
He questioned whether the land bank must complete a bidding process before accepting his donation.
“I find it ludicrous,” he said. “I’ve asked the Belmont County commissioners for the exact ordinances or codes that say they cannot accept a gift without running it through their bidding process. It makes no sense.”
Sinclair said he plans to attend the next land bank meeting remotely from his home in South Carolina.
Village Property Requested
Council discussed Sinclair’s request for a narrow strip of village-owned property adjacent to one redevelopment site on Trumbull Street.
Sinclair said the additional property would allow construction of an off-street parking pad while preserving the existing alley.
“We’ll pay for the survey fees and the transfer fees,” Sinclair said. “We just need the village to commit to conveying the property before we incur those costs.”
Village officials said they will review maps and legal descriptions before taking action.
Resident Questions Property Acquisitions
Councilman Donny Maupin noted that one home Sinclair hopes to redevelop is currently occupied. Sinclair responded that the homeowner has delinquent property taxes.
During public comment, a resident said the homeowner had entered into a payment plan with the Belmont County Treasurer’s Office and expressed concern about losing the home through foreclosure.
The resident questioned Sinclair’s efforts to acquire tax-delinquent properties, expressing concern that longtime homeowners could be pressured to sell.
Sinclair rejected that characterization.
“We don’t want to bully anyone,” he said. “We made an offer. If he didn’t accept it, that’s fine.”
Support Appreciated
Sinclair later said he appreciates the support Bellaire officials have offered and thanked Council President Janet Richardson, Councilman Donny Maupin, Mayor Robert Dodrill Sr., Police Chief J.J. Watson and Village Solicitor Paul Stecker Jr.
“We’re making progress, and we appreciate that,” Sinclair said.
Mayor Dodrill also thanked Donn and Kristen Sinclair for donating funds to repair the village’s garbage trucks.
Fiscal Officer Appointment Delayed
Council also discussed its search for a new fiscal officer.
Mayor Robert Dodrill Sr. nominated John Lee of Mount Pleasant for the position, noting Lee’s experience with the Uniform Accounting Network (UAN), Ohio’s financial management system used by local governments for accounting, budgeting, payroll and financial reporting.
Bellaire previously transitioned from the Civica/Civitas accounting system to UAN with assistance from the Ohio Auditor of State’s Office.
Councilman Jack Evans initially seconded Lee’s nomination but later withdrew his motion after council members discussed interviewing another candidate.
Council agreed to table the appointment and continue discussions in executive session.
Following the meeting, Dodrill confirmed to Forgotten Ohio that Deja Gonzalez of Wheeling is also being considered for the position.
Village Plans New Facebook Page
Council’s social media committee reported it is creating a new official Village of Bellaire Facebook page to replace the current page, which functions as a personal profile rather than an official government account.
Councilman Bill Schmidt said committee members hope to archive information from the existing page before deleting it but currently do not have access to the email account used to create it.
He also said unauthorized individuals, including someone from St. Clairsville, have accessed the account.
The committee plans to designate multiple administrators for the new page to prevent future access issues.
Water Infrastructure and Budget Approved
Following the meeting, Dodrill explained two measures approved by council.
Resolution 1134 authorizes the mayor to apply for and enter into an Ohio EPA Water Supply Revolving Loan on behalf of the village for drinking water improvements.
“The resolution is authorizing the mayor to apply for, accept and enter into a water supply revolving loan account on behalf of the Village of Bellaire for construction of drinking water facilities,” Dodrill said.
Council also approved an emergency ordinance establishing Bellaire’s permanent appropriations for fiscal year 2026.
“It was establishing permanent appropriations for the fiscal year of 2026 and declaring an emergency,” Dodrill said.
Council Raises Financial Concerns
Council President Janet Richardson asked Dodrill for a report identifying fire hydrants in need of repair, saying council has waited several weeks for the information.
Dodrill said the report is being compiled.
Richardson also requested a report detailing employee overtime, saying some part-time village employees are working “excessive overtime.”
Marina and Pickleball Projects
Richardson reported that someone damaged an area near the Ohio River marina by drilling holes, apparently to install fishing pole holders.
She said the village recently invested approximately $8,000 in the structure and suggested installing surveillance cameras to discourage further vandalism.
Schmidt said he supports allowing residents to continue fishing at the marina, while Richardson suggested the village consider constructing a dedicated fishing dock.
Council also learned that the village’s pickleball complex continues moving forward, with bids expected soon for concession stand and restroom construction.