Nelsonville's planning and development committee met last week for the second of two public hearings to discuss a grant application for $180,000 to stabilize the condemned Scott building, 89 W. Washington St., owned by L'Heureux Properties.
Both public meetings were held to fulfill a requirement of the application process, which began last fall. The city is applying for Ohio's Tier III grant, part of its Comprehensive Downtown Revitalization Program.
City Manager Fred Holmes said the funds help eliminate blighted conditions
improve infrastructure and stimulate economic development in central business districts.
Although the building is privately owned, the city must apply for the grant because it is a state grant; private citizens can not apply.
Basically the building within last year has deteriorated so rapidly that we felt we needed to do something right away
said Bill L'Heureux, Nelsonville manager for L'Heureux Properties. Because it's a historical building
we wanted to do everything we could to save it. Unfortunately
the cost is prohibitive. Fred Holmes came up with idea of Tier III grant.
If approved, the grant monies will be used to make the condemned building safe for entry. L'Heureux Properties then would be responsible for all funds associated with renovating the building. The total cost of the project is estimated at $364,000.
It's a matching grant
L'Heureux said. For every penny the grant puts in
we as property owners would need to match that money. When it's all said and done
I'm sure (our part) would be a lot more.
Committee members Chris Smith and Anita Mondo supported the project, saying the property served the community better as a building than as a parking lot, the alternative if the building cannot be saved.
I'm 100 percent for this
Smith said. The sooner we can do this
I think the better.
J.W. Scott, owner of a coal company, built the building in the 1870s, L'Heureux said. Although the building housed many retail vendors, it was featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not in 1937, presumably for its unique layout as a one-stop shop for coal miners. The first floor was used as a saloon, and the third floor was a dance hall. In between was a church located on the second floor.
