The state of Ohio has announced nearly $60 million in grants across the state to clean up vacant buildings and empty industrial sites to prepare them for redevelopment.

The West End's Regal Theater, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2023 , will receive just over $486,000 to remove asbestos and other potentially hazardous materials. The state says this cleanup project is intended to prepare the historic theater for future investment.

The Regal Theater will be the new home of the Robert O'Neal Multicultural Arts Center , named after Cincinnati community activist and artist Robert O'Neal.

O'Neal's daughter, Toilynn O'Neal Turner, is the CEO and founder of the center. She says the investment will help preserve the structure and breathe new life into the iconic t

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