By 1808Delaware
The state of Ohio has awarded nearly $40 million in tax credits for rehabilitation projects at 38 historic buildings throughout the state in Round 28 of the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit, it was announced on Wednesday.
One of those buildings is on Lake Street east of downtown Delaware.
“Preserving historic buildings is one tool we can use to build vibrant downtowns and create opportunity on our main streets throughout the state,” Governor Mike DeWine said in the announcement. “These projects are just one piece of the larger picture to transform our communities and create even more exceptional places to live and visit.”
The money will be used to assist private developers in rehabilitating historic buildings — many of which are currently vacant and generating little economic activity.
“Once rehabilitated, these historic buildings will drive further investment and interest in adjacent property,” Gov. DeWine’s office noted. More…
Downtown Delaware, Featured, Historic Preservation, Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit
Publisher’s Note: This story has been updated with additional information.
By 1808Delaware
If you live in Delaware, there’s a chance that you might live near a residence that was bought out of a book.
A Sears catalog, to be exact.
According to Wikipedia, Sears Catalog Homes (sold under the Sears Modern Homes name) were catalog and kit houses sold primarily through mail order by Sears, Roebuck and Company, an American retailer. More…
By 1808Delaware
Slocum Hall on the campus of Ohio Wesleyan University has been a busy place this spring.
Sitting just north of Sturges Hall, Slocum Hall was built as a library and opened in 1898. The University is undertaking an $11-million project to renovate the building including the restoration of its iconic Reading Room and its 70-foot-by-20-foot leaded glass ceiling. For more about the building, here is an October 2021 Landmarks of Delaware County post: More…
By 1808Delaware
In an initial step in a hoped-for project at Delaware’s historic Strand Theater, owner Strand Theatre and Cultural Arts Association appeared before the City’s Historic Preservation Commission last week for an informal application review.
An informal review allows applicants to engage in dialogue with Commission members to answer questions, discuss concerns, and hear ideas about possible project revisions.
The Strand Theatre has stood at 28 East Winter Street since April, 1916, and is one of the oldest theatres in Ohio in continuous operation. The proposal would impact the Strand’s current marquee, which dates from the 1930s, as well as to its front doors.
The last time the building was before the HPC was in 2011 and 2012 for renovations to the facade, including refurbishment of the marquee. The marquee has been inspected and is non-repairable, a staff report shared, and the letters used are not only a safety issue but also are no longer made. More…
Downtown Delaware, Featured, Historic Preservation, The Strand Theatre
By 1808Delaware
When all was said and done, the intense interest in the former Sunny Vee Nursing Home structure at 54 West Lincoln in Delaware ended with a Columbus couple purchasing the local landmark property.
The three story brick building, built circa 1870 as a private residence, later became a OWU fraternity house and a senior citizen residence. It has sat vacant since 2008, with rumors of water running down interior walls and possible animal intrusions.
Analyses performed prior to sale noted the presence of asbestos in the building, which must be abated prior to renovation.
At Tuesday morning’s auction there were 29 registered bidders, highlighting the strong local and regional interest in the house. More…
Delaware History, Featured, Historic Preservation, Property Sales
By 1808Delaware
Preservation Ohio has issued its annual Call for Nominations for its list of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites.
Each year, the statewide organization searches for houses, commercial buildings, governmental structures, bridges, historic roadways, landscapes, downtowns, neighborhoods and other important pieces of Ohio history that face a potentially risky future. The list serves to highlight those properties which are both historically significant and endangered — whether it be by threats of demolition, long-term disinvestment or neglect, insensitive governmental action, uncertainty or indifference. Nominations for this important list have come from individuals, preservation organizations, downtown and neighborhood revitalization organizations, historical societies, historic road associations, local governments and other entities. More…
By Cole Hatcher, OWU
On June 20, 1898, Ohio Wesleyan University dedicated Slocum Hall as its new campus library – a spacious, modern building with a leaded glass ceiling that still draws gasps of wonder and delight from first-time visitors.
One hundred and twenty-three years later, Slocum Hall is beginning a new chapter as it undergoes an $11.25 million, donor-funded renovation to add modern amenities and redefine its future.
“This is a momentous project for Ohio Wesleyan, and I am grateful to our donors for helping us fully renovate and preserve a building beloved by generations of OWU alumni,” said President Rock Jones, Ph.D. More…
Delaware History, Featured, Historic Preservation, Ohio Wesleyan University
By 1808Delaware
In a Wednesday interview with WDLR News, representatives of Columbus’ RiverWest Partners talked about their plans to breathe new life in the vacant Big Four Depot at 60 Lake Street on the east side of downtown Delaware.
RiverWest’s Brenan Palma spoke with Mark Bingaman & Sherry Fisher of the Mid Ohio Breakfast Club about the most recent plans for the historic structure.
That interview can be easily listened to at this online location. More…
Delaware History, Downtown Delaware, Featured, Historic Preservation
By 1808Delaware
Preservation Ohio has issued its annual Call for Nominations for its list of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites.
Each year, the statewide organization searches for houses, commercial buildings, governmental structures, bridges, historic roadways, landscapes, downtowns, neighborhoods and other important pieces of Ohio history that face a potentially risky future. The list serves to highlight those properties which are both historically significant and endangered — whether it be by threats of demolition, long-term disinvestment or neglect, insensitive governmental action, uncertainty or indifference. Nominations for this important list have come from individuals, preservation organizations, downtown and neighborhood revitalization organizations, historical societies, historic road associations, local governments and other entities. More…
History/Tourism, Life in Delaware County
By 1808Delaware
The streets of downtown Delaware were quite busy on Friday evening, as sidewalk diners and shoppers were joined by a number of people wearing conspicuous bright green wrist bands.
You could identify these people not only by the flash of green, but because they were walking up and down Sandusky and side streets and then quickly disappearing into rarely used doorways between commercial storefronts.
Friday was the Hidden Spaces Tour hosted by Main Street Delaware,which showcased rarely seen upper floors — some in nearly original condition, and others which have already been transformed and updated for modern use. More…
Downtown Delaware, Featured, Historic Preservation, Main Street Delaware
