The Ohio History Connection is re-granting $446,327 to four projects in Main Street communities in Ohio. Main Street Ravenna applied for this grant along with 13 other Main Street communities around Ohio and was chosen along with the communities of Painesville, Piqua and Van Wert.
New owners, Melissa and Doug Shelton of LPO, Inc., have taken on a big project: the rehabilitation of the historic, but neglected, Riddle Block 9 building in downtown Ravenna. With 50,000 square feet to work with, the building will be readied for a variety of potential uses including commercial/office, retail, and residential. Paul Bruhn funds will return now-vacant residential and commercial spaces to active use. The glass-enclosed atrium will also be restored, returning architectural beauty to one of the iconic Riddle buildings in downtown Ravenna.
“Main Street Ravenna is very excited and grateful to be able to bring money into downtown Ravenna through the National Park Service’s Paul Bruhn Grant, said Julie McLain, Executive Director of Main Street Ravenna. “This money will assist us in moving forward the downtown revitalization of the Ravenna community and of the historic Riddle 9 building. This catalytic project will not only re-invigorate this building aesthetically but most importantly, bring new businesses and jobs to our historic downtown district.”
