The Kasich administration will issue $41.8 million in Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credits to rehabilitate 35 historic buildings around the state. Projects will spur private investments totaling approximately $600 million in 12 communities, according to the Ohio Development Services Agency (DSA).

Round 13 awards will help private developers rehabilitate historic buildings in downtowns and neighborhoods, many of which are currently vacant and act as a drain on local communities, DSA said.

“These projects transform vacant and underutilized properties into viable places for business and living,” DSA Director David Goodman said in a release. “This program has been a valuable tool for community revitalization.”

Commercial and residential projects include office, hotel, retail and event spaces and 792 new market-rate housing units.

 

NORTHWEST

Hensville (Toledo, Lucas County), Project Cost: $18,799,712, Tax Credit: $3,979,978
Address: 3, 9 and 28 St. Clair St. 43604
Rehabilitation of three structures in the St. Clair Street National Register Historic District in Toledo, undertaken as part of the Toledo Mud Hens long-time goal to revitalize the larger Warehouse District.

NORTHEAST REGION

1023 Bridge St. (Ashtabula, Ashtabula County), Project Cost: $355,000, Tax Credit: $69,000
Address: 1023 Bridge St. 44004
The site in Ashtabula Harbor Commercial District opened in 1896 as H.D. Cook Boots and Shoes. Partially destroyed by fire in 1967, it’s one of the last vacant buildings in the district core require renovation.

1736 Columbus Rd. (Cleveland, Cuyahoga County), Project Cost: $1,089,358, Tax Credit: $209,281
Address: 1736 Columbus Rd. 44113
Located in the new Cleveland Centre National Register Historic District, the “unassuming” property has a long industrial history. The vacant brick building will be renovated as office space.

Broadway Building (Lorain, Lorain County), Project Cost: $10,046,640, Tax Credit: $440,203
Address: 301 Broadway 44051
Closed for nearly a decade, the 1925 office building and subsequent hotel is slated for 55 new market-rate apartments, including a roof-top deck for residents.

Cleveland Bd. of Education Bldg. (Cuyahoga County), Project Cost: $52,049,921, Tax Credit: $5,000,000
Address: 1380 E. 6th St. 44114
Walker & Weeks designed the building in 1930 under the Cleveland Mall Group Plan. Since vacated by Cleveland schools, Drury Hotels plan to convert the Beaux-Arts structure into a 180-room hotel.

Gallagher Building (Youngstown, Mahoning County), Project Cost: $5,904,000, Tax Credit: $1,325,000
Address: 23 N. Hazel 43503
The downtown structure appeared on Sanborn Fire Insurance maps as early as 1907, but its upper floors have been underused for decades and are now envisioned as 18 apartment units by the Gatta Group.

Goodyear Headquarters (Akron, Summit County), Project Cost: $189,156,643, Tax Credit: $5,000,000

Address: 1200 Market St. 44305
The 1.4 million square-foot complex was vacated when Goodyear built new headquarters. Industrial Realty Group will redevelop it into office, residence and parking space within the larger East End project.

Hubbard Cooke Bldg. (Cleveland, Cuyahoga County), Project Cost: $4,474,290, Tax Credit: $555,000
Address: 2220 Superior Viaduct 44113
Completed in 1892 as the first of two sister buildings designed by Lehman & Schmidt, the mixed-use project is planned for 13 market-rate apartments and four commercial spaces, including a restaurant.

LaSalle Theatre (Cleveland, Cuyahoga County), Project Cost: $3,248,742, Tax Credit: $249,999
Address: 819-829 E. 185th St. 44119
The theatre opened in 1927 with a single screen, storefronts and apartments. NE Shores Community Development Corp. plans to convert it into the LaSalle Arts and Media Center, with stores and residences.

Mentor Village Hall (Mentor, Lake County), Project Cost: $1,283,300, Tax Credit: $220,075
Address: 8383 Mentor Village Hall 44060
The Queen Ann-style structure was constructed in 1888 and more recently was used as event space. The accounting firm NMS Inc. plans to rehabilitate it for its Mentor location.

Nat’l Terminal Warehouse (Cleveland, Cuyahoga County), Project Cost: $32,067,125, Tax Credit: $1,999,999 Address: 1215 W. 10th St. 44113
National Terminal Co. occupied the site from the 1920s to 1980s. Developers plan to upgrade its 1996 conversion to residential lofts and offices, which are not competitive in Cleveland’s current urban market.

Standard Building (Cleveland, Cuyahoga County), Project Cost: $61,397,482, Tax Credit: $5,000,000
Address: 1370 Ontario St. 44113
The ornamental-glazed terra cotta structure was built in 1924 as the Standard Trust Bank. More than half vacant, the office building is planned for conversion to 287 market-rate apartments above the first floor.

Wagner Awning (Cleveland, Cuyahoga County), Project Cost: $17,553,000, Tax Credit: $1,739,311
Address: 2658 Scranton Rd. 44113
The site has been used for industrial purposes since 1895. The current Ohio Awning Co. plans to relocate, allowing conversion to 54 apartments and retail space. Sixteen townhomes are planned across the street.

CENTRAL

Barrett School (Columbus, Franklin County), Project Cost: $27,343,663, Tax Credit: $3,275,416
Address: 345 E. Deshler Ave. 43206
Opened in 1898 as South High School, the building closed in 2009 as a junior high/middle school. The Merion Village site is planned for 53 converted units as well as new apartments and single-family homes.

Granville Inn (Granville, Licking County), Project Cost: $14,162,920, Tax Credit: $1,400,000
Address: 314 E. Broadway 43023
Designed by architect Frank Packard, the inn is a local gathering place. A partnership led by Denison University will redevelop the hotel, conference center, grand ballroom and restaurant facilities.

Griswold Memorial YWCA (Columbus, Franklin County), Project Cost: $20,021,308, Tax Credit: $440,202
Address: 65 S. 4th St. 43215-4314
The 1929 site still functions as the Young Women’s Christian Association. Housing will be converted to one-bedrooms, efficiencies, offices and meeting space. It is eligible for up to $2 million in additional tax credits.  

U.S. Carriage Company (Columbus, Franklin County), Project Cost: $8,194,797, Tax Credit: $1,000,000

Address: 309 S. 4th St. 43215
The 1902 structure was originally used to hand-craft hearses and is now mostly vacant offices. Upgrades will retain two existing tenants and convert the remainder into 41 one- and two-bedroom apartments.

WESTERN

Weustoff & Getz Building (Dayton, Montgomery County), Project Cost: $7,940,040, Tax Credit: $1,925,000 Address: 210 Wayne Ave. 45402
The site opened in 1868 as a factory but later housed furniture and plumbing suppliers before becoming vacant. City Properties Group plans to redevelop in into 40 residential units and first-floor retail space.

SOUTHWEST REGION

51 East Clifton Avenue (Cincinnati, Hamilton County), Project Cost: $750,000, Tax Credit: $147,000
Address: 51 E. Clifton Ave. 45202
Located in the north part of the Over-the-Rhine Historic District, the structure rose in 1890 as a tenement building and is now planned for redevelopment into seven market-rate apartments.

1200 and 1208 Main St. (Cincinnati, Hamilton County), Project Cost: $3,231,129, Tax Credit: $320,000
Address: 1200 and 1208 Main St. 45202
The site housed Wurst & Lorentz’s “fancy goods store” 1887 and later dry goods, millinery and butcher shops. Urban Sites now plants to convert it to 19 apartments and first-floor retail space.

1317 Republic Street (Cincinnati, Hamilton County), Project Cost: $1,494,669, Tax Credit: $199,000
Address: 1317 Republic St. 45202
The 1878 Greek Revival building lies in the Over-the-Rhine Historic District and is now vacant. Grandin Properties plans to redevelop the first three floors into six residential units.

1319 Republic Street (Cincinnati, Hamilton County), Project Cost: $1,494,669, Tax Credit: $199,000
Address: 1319 Republic St. 45202
A near twin to 1317 Republic, the building was constructed in 1878. Grandin plans to convert it to six apartments to complement other area projects, including the old Emanuel Community Center.

1405 Clay Street (Cincinnati, Hamilton County), Project Cost: $1,101,746, Tax Credit: $180,000
Address: 1405 Clay St. 45202
Built around 1890, the vacant site exemplifies Italianate architecture in the Over-the-Rhine National Register Historic District. Urban Sites is planning four apartments, first-floor retail and a possible bar/pub.

4089 Langland Street (Cincinnati, Hamilton County), Project Cost: $770,760, Tax Credit: $150,000
Address: 4089 Langland St. 45223
The site once housed a cafe and rooming house and most recently was used by a lumber company. Wire & Twine Design Studios plans to occupy part of the commercial space, along with two residential units.

Ambassador Apartments (Cincinnati, Hamilton County), Project Cost: $9,410,866, Tax Credit: $913,751
Address: 722 Gholson Ave. and 3415 Reading Rd. 45229
The Mediterranean Revival building opened in 1929 but currently has maintenance issues. The Community Builders, Inc. will rehabilitate the apartment units to remain affordable housing.

Cincinnati Music Hall (Hamilton County), Project Cost: $127,500,000, Total Tax Credit: $25 million; $2.5 million from Round 13
Address: 1241 Elm St. 45202
The National Historic Landmark opened in 1878 in Over-the-Rhine. Rehabilitation will benefit the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Opera, May Festival Chorus, and Cincinnati Arts Association.

Crescent Court Apartments (Cincinnati, Hamilton County), Project Cost: $8,370,356, Tax Credit: $249,999 Address: 3719 Reading Rd. 45229
The 1911 building has a U-shape plan and a deep courtyard. The Community Builders, Inc. plans to redevelop its 37 affordable housing units as part of its portfolio in the Avondale area.

Heberle School (Cincinnati, Hamilton County), Project Cost: $11,189,704, Tax Credit: $1,834,000
Address: 2015 Freeman Ave. 45214
The old Cincinnati Public School site is now vacant. The first West End project to receive the Historic Preservation Tax Credit, the building is planned for conversion to 59 apartments.

Middletown Building & Deposit Assoc. (Butler County), Project Cost: $3,078,000, Tax Credit: $600,000
Address: 1000 Central Ave. 45044
Built in 1930 as a symbol of prominence and stability, the Art Deco structure is now vacant. After its original architect, the planned Goetz Tower will house 20 residential units and retail or restaurant space.

Poinciana Apartments (Cincinnati, Hamilton County), Project Cost: $20,279,443, Tax Credit: $440,202
Address: 3522 and 3639 Reading Rd.; 610 and 615 Maple Ave. 45229
Built in 1908 in the Avondale neighborhood, the apartment will be redeveloped by The Community Builders as clean, safe, affordable housing. It is eligible for up to $1,999,909 in additional tax credits.

Somerset Apartments (Cincinnati, Hamilton County), Project Cost: $5,892,147, Tax Credit: $249,999
Address: 802 Blair Ave. 45229
The Queen Anne-style building rose in 1896 at the corner of Reading Road and Blair Avenue in Avondale. The Community Builders will rehabilitate its existing 30 apartment units.

Developers do not receive the tax credit until project construction is complete and all program requirements are verified. Pictures of the project sites can be found at www.flickr.com/photos/63837784@N08/sets/72157649673142312.

The Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit is administered in partnership with the State Historic Preservation Office of the Ohio History Connection. The preservation office determines whether a property qualifies as a historic building and whether rehabilitation plans comply with the U.S. Department of the Interior’s “Standards for Rehabilitation.”