Ottawa Launches Main Street Corridor Project to Revitalize Downtown
Leaders in Ottawa recently gathered 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 project is a collaboration with DuMont Revitalization, LLC, and The DeFord, LLC, JobsOhio, Putnam County Community Improvement Corporation economic development, Regional Growth Partnership, Port Authority of Northwestern Ohio, and Toledo Port Authority with combined investments of over $4 million.
“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.
“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.
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.
“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.