By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
On Jan. 6, the Madison County commissioners approved a tenant substitution for county-owned property on State Route 38 north of London.
The property is the site of Oakwood Meadows, a 12-person residential facility operated by Champaign Residential Services Inc. The facility serves people with developmental disabilities.
Starting in 1996, J.B. Associates became the lease tenant on the county property and owned the structures, including Oakwood Meadows and a one-story building available for additional housing. In turn, the company rented the structures and their contents to Champaign Residential.
J.B. Associates recently sold the structures and signed over the tenant rights on the county land lease to Champaign Residential. Flax Law Firm in London represented Champaign Residential. The county commissioners signed off on the tenant substitution. The rent for the land lease is a nominal amount per year.
Now that Champaign Residential owns the buildings and their contents, they can make renovations, something they could not do as renters, said Than Johnson, Champaign Residential CEO.
Oakwood Meadows is the permanent home of 12 adults with disabilities. Onsite personnel from Champaign Residential help the residents with daily needs, including personal care, food preparation, laundry and other housekeeping tasks.
Oakwood Meadows residents take part in recreational and vocational activities at MATCO Services in London. The Madison County Board of Developmental Disabilities provides them with transporation to and from MATCO.
Oakwood Meadows was Champaign Residential’s first venture outside of Champaign County. Now, the non-profit provides services to nearly 1,000 individuals in 30 Ohio counties.
Champaign Residential’s mission is to help people with disabilities attain maximum independence. In addition to residential facilities, services include in-home homemaker and personal care, transportation, respite for care providers, consumer advocacy and protection, and training for independent living, work readiness and community involvement. To learn more, go to www.crsi-oh.com.
