News & Press
Ottawa Announces Plans to Revitalize Downtown Main Street
(OTTAWA, OH) - DuMont Revitalization, LLC, and The DeFord, LLC, in collaboration with JobsOhio, Putnam County Community Improvement Corporation economic development, Regional Growth Partnership, Port Authority of Northwestern Ohio, and Toledo Port Authority, today announced combined investments of over $4 million to launch the Main Street Corridor Project which will restore a group of historic buildings in Ottawa creating new professional offices, overnight lodging, co-working, and hospitality and dining spaces.
“The flooding that devastated Ottawa in 2007 significantly hindered economic growth here, but Ottawa has come far over the last 16 years, and these projects will contribute toward its remarkable recovery,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “Reestablishing and strengthening Ottawa’s historic Main Street Corridor will build a solid foundation for this village, which is poised for future growth and investment.”
The Main Street Corridor Project is the result of strong, local partnerships and a shared vision for revitalization in the community.
“This a dynamic economic development project in that it preserves historic buildings, retains businesses and creates space for new businesses, and blends the community’s GO Ottawa strategic growth plan with local investment to bring more jobs, services and people to downtown,” said Amy Sealts, Community Improvement Corporation director.
With assistance from a JobsOhio Vibrant Community Grant, the corridor project will redevelop multiple historic buildings, including The DuMont building at 202 West Main Street, and The DeFord block of buildings at 301, 305 and 315 East Main St., Ottawa. The DuMont will feature new dining and event spaces on the first floor and professional office suites on the second and third floors.
The DeFord building will feature seven, loft-style overnight lodging rooms and shared space for entertaining on the second floor. The first floor will become retail and dining, and co-working space featuring flexible work offices. Combined, this project preserves and renovates over 30,000 square feet in the downtown business district.
Located near the Putnam County Courthouse, The DeFord building dates back to 1889. Megan Seitz- Clinton said she and her business partner have been overwhelmed by the amount of support the project has received. A native of Putnam County, Seitz-Clinton lived in major cities around the U.S. for two decades before returning home about three years ago. She knew there was a need for overnight lodging in Ottawa and wanted to preserve the historic building she is part owner of on Main Street. Their project also renovates several first-floor spaces to attract new retail and dining establishments.
“For all the years I was away, I wished for a short-term stay, somewhere local where my family could stay when we were home visiting,” said Megan Seitz-Clinton, a co-owner of The DeFord building. “I’m incredibly excited that my business partners and I are helping fill a void that has existed for decades in the community and grateful for the team of professionals who have helped us get here.”
At the corner of Main and N. Walnut Streets is The DuMont, a three-story historic building constructed in 1900. It will be fully renovated for new hospitality, dining and event spaces on the first floor and professional office suites on the second and third floors. The anchor tenant will be Technicon Design Group.
“As the new owners of The DuMont building, we are taking on the revitalization of a 120-year-old property that holds significant meaning to the Ottawa community,” said Gillian Stechschulte,Principal, Technicon Design Group. “Through the support of JobsOhio and the Putnam County CIC, we will be able to preserve this building for future generations. The completed project will bring more professional office space to downtown Ottawa for growing businesses like Technicon Design Group. The DuMont will also provide opportunities for new business start-ups like the Ottawa Brewing Company, which will be located on the first floor and will fulfill a market need for more hospitality, dining, and gathering spaces in our community.”
JobsOhio Vibrant Community Grants are competitive grants that support development projects that help transform and revitalize Ohio downtowns and main streets. Eligible projects include mixed-use projects, real estate development projects, and operated shared spaces that meet the JobsOhio project criteria.
“Along with our partners at RGP, we are grateful for the strong collaboration to rebuild and revitalize Ottawa’s Main Street Corridor, demonstrating the resilient spirit of the village and county,” said JobsOhio President and CEO. J.P. Nauseef. “JobsOhio’s Vibrant Community Grant was established to fuel economic development and create new jobs for eligible Ohio communities, and we look forward to seeing a downtown Ottawa that will spur growth and a prosperous future.”
“The support from JobsOhio filled the gap to make this project become a reality. We anticipate this will spur more investments and more private-public partnerships that will continue helping re-energize neighborhoods in the downtown area,” said Sealts.
About the Regional Growth Partnership
The Regional Growth Partnership is the lead economic development organization serving 17 counties in Northwest Ohio. As a private nonprofit development corporation, the RGP is dedicated to fostering regional, national and international business investment opportunities across the region. The RGP serves as Northwest Ohio’s network partner for JobsOhio. Visit www.rgp.org for more information.
About JobsOhio
JobsOhio is a private nonprofit economic development corporation designed to drive job creation and new capital investment in Ohio through business attraction, retention, and expansion. The organization also works to seed talent production in its targeted industries and to attract talent to Ohio through Find Your Ohio. JobsOhio works with six regional partners across Ohio: Dayton Development Coalition, Ohio Southeast Economic Development, One Columbus, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership, and Team NEO. Learn more at www.jobsohio.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.
For more information, contact:
Matt Englehart