ZANESVILLE - Besides its efforts to generate a renewed interest in downtown commerce and revitalization of aging buildings, the Zanesville Downtown Association is also trying to promote downtown living. With that in mind, ZDA Manager Dana Matz led business and city officials on a tour of existing residential units along Main Street Tuesday afternoon. The event included visits to eight units, a mixture of loft-style apartments and condos.
Matz said more than $30 million has been invested in downtown revitalization efforts since 2000. "Many of these old buildings were designed for 'live above,' for the businesses on the ground floor," Matz said, while he led the group through 625 Main St. "The adaptation for 're-use' will be very important for continuing development in our downtown area."
He cited a report from the Brookings Institute which said an increase in Baby Boomers looking for the convenience of living within walking distance of city services shows the need for more downtown residential units. Matz is also a firm believer that if residential traffic picks up in the downtown area, retail establishments - eateries and stores - are sure to follow, although the downtown has seen a resurgence in recent years with art galleries and a few deli/restaurant choices.
While the first floor of 625 Main is an art gallery - owner Paul Emory said the Zanesville Appalachian Arts Project (ZAAP) will be holding an art show there next month - the second and third floors have been renovated into living quarters. Both of the living units are 1,500 square feet, renting for $500.
Emory said he purchased the building in 1995 and he "just loved the old floors and ceilings." "I used a lot of doors and windows from other downtown buildings that were torn down or were being cleaned out," Emory said. "I was always there with my truck picking up things to use here." The top floor has a very loft-style feel, with wood floors and a skylight in the middle of the ceiling, while the second floor presents a more residential feel, Emory said.
"This is more like a home," said Terry Kelley, whose girlfriend, Susan, lives in the second floor unit. "I come over and do a lot of painting here. It's nice." The group also stopped by the old Nader building at 616 Main St., owned by Alan Cottrill; 536 Main St., owned by Larry Kotler; and 530 Main St., being renovated by Pam Uddin for two residences and a business, Two Peas.
While Emory and Kotler used private financing, the Cottrill project is making use of a variety of financing sources, such as funding through the Ohio Department of Development and the city Revolving Loan Fund, Community Development Director Meg Deedrick said. Uddin is also utilizing private financing as well as money from the Revolving Loan Fund for projects at 526-rear Main and 11S. Sixth St.
Source: Times Recorder