$3.1 million in loans
approved for Galion hotel renovation plan
By Russ Kent
News Journal
GALION
-The puzzle isn't complete, but the pieces, which will guarantee the renovation
of the old Central Hotel on Public Square next year, are falling into place.
"No, it's not exactly a done deal yet," City Manager
Phil Honsey said. "But all the pieces are coming
together in the timeframe that we anticipated. We're seeing progress in the right
direction."
Thursday, developers of the hotel got notice of approval for
about $3.1 million in loans to proceed with the project. Now they're going
through the paperwork to ensure funding is maintained and completed.
The old hotel is being turned into a
senior apartment complex featuring 33 units. There will be seven one-bedroom
units, 19 two- bedroom units and seven three-bedroom units. Each will include a
full kitchen, carpeting, central air conditioning, washer and dryer hook-ups,
window covers, vaulted ceilings, a full bathroom and a half - bathroom.
G. Fred Schwab, LLC and Stacy and Asebrook. Ltd., are behind the development.
"We're excited," said Michael
Stacy of Stacy and Asebrook, whose company also
helped in the renovation of the Voegele Building in
downtown Mansfield. "It's gratifying to be able to bring a building like
that back to life."
The hotel is 150
years old. In its prime it boasted 66 sleeping rooms, a dining hall and famous
visitors such as Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell.
It's
been vacant since 1982 and is in danger of caving in.
"Structurally, this is one of the worst
buildings we've been involved with," said Stacy, whose company renovates
historic buildings. "This was essentially the last gasp for that
building."
He expects construction to begin next spring.
The project should be complete in about 10 months.
To guarantee
historic tax credits that were approved in July, strict procedures must be
adhered to during the renovation.
"We have to work with the historic
preservation people and restore all of the historic elements that we can,"
he said. "Unfortunately, for the most part, we'll be gutting everything
but the outside walls."
He said the lobby
and the dining area of the old hotel is of historic significance and as much as
possible will be saved, restored and incorporated into the new apartment
complex. The building's facade also will be restored.
"The contractor will basically take away
everything inside the building," Stacy said. "That will require that
he shore up the walls to make sure they stay in place until the interior is
finished."
Honsey
said the city will work with the contractors to make sure they can do what they
need to do to shore up the building and finish construction in a timely matter.
rkent@nncogannett.com
(419) 521-7274