$400K grant will aid Black Diamond's renovation of historic buildings in Shawnee

Zanesville Times Recorder
·3 min read

SHAWNEE –– A downtown revitalization project in the Village of Shawnee designed to foster small business and economic development growth is taking place via a collaboration between Black Diamond Development, JobsOhio and Ohio Southeast Economic Development. The investment of more than $1.3 million will fully renovate and develop two historic downtown buildings.

Black Diamond Development purchased the two adjacent at-risk historic buildings at 116 and 118 W. Main St. in downtown Shawnee in 2020 and has since stabilized both buildings, known as the Dishon Buildings, and prepared them for renovation. Local historian Rob Dishon, owner of the buildings, died in early 2020. Black Diamond Development chose to honor his contributions to save the buildings by naming the structures for him.

A $400,000 Vibrant Community grant will help with the renovations of two downtown Shawnee buildings, owned by Black Diamond Development. Once the $1.3 million project is completed, the buildings will house businesses and co-working spaces.
A $400,000 Vibrant Community grant will help with the renovations of two downtown Shawnee buildings, owned by Black Diamond Development. Once the $1.3 million project is completed, the buildings will house businesses and co-working spaces.

“The restoration of the historic Dishon Buildings is an example of the importance of preserving Ohio’s proud heritage,” said Gov. Mike DeWine in a press release. “These buildings tell a story of Shawnee’s past and will be restored to support future economic development and tourism for the village and region.”

Through this investment, the buildings will be brought back to productive life as commercial co-working spaces to house the Genesis HealthCare System office and primary care clinic, Naz Winery, Black Diamond Regional Visitors Bureau and feature flexible co-working spaces available on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. The upper levels of both buildings will house vacation rental units.

Shawnee receives historic tax credits for restoration of 3 buildings

“Developing these properties to house flexible co-working space is key to encouraging business and job growth in the area and in supporting the overarching goal of improving the quality of life for the residents of Shawnee,” said Jazzma Quinn, spokesperson for Black Diamond Development.

This is the interior of the former Shawnee Tavern, now the Black Diamond Tavern, located at 106 W. Main St. This project was part of the Black Diamond renovation of historic buildings at 106 and 126 W. Main St. in Shawnee. Black Diamond was granted an Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit by the state in 2022 to complete its project.
This is the interior of the former Shawnee Tavern, now the Black Diamond Tavern, located at 106 W. Main St. This project was part of the Black Diamond renovation of historic buildings at 106 and 126 W. Main St. in Shawnee. Black Diamond was granted an Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit by the state in 2022 to complete its project.

Black Diamond Development has completed previous redevelopment projects in Shawnee. This includes the former Shawnee Tavern, now the Black Diamond Tavern. The company is also developing a tiny home village scheduled to be completed by April.

Black Diamond Development aiming to make Shawnee a destination

Quinn said without the public-private partnership enabled by JobsOhio and OhioSE, these buildings would be lost forever as traditional market economics do not work to allow re-development. JobsOhio is supporting the project with a $400,000 Vibrant Community Grant.

“The investment in the Village of Shawnee’s downtown is already achieving the vision set forth as part of the JobsOhio Vibrant Community Program, which is to attract private investment and create new opportunities for Ohio’s smaller and culturally rich communities,” said J.P. Nauseef, JobsOhio president and CEO. “The restoration of the Dishon buildings is sparking the downtown economy, bringing jobs, health care, co-working space and tourism to this beautiful pocket of Ohio just outside of Wayne National Forrest.”

The JobsOhio Vibrant Community Program offers competitive grants for development projects that help transform areas within a distressed community. Eligible projects include mixed-use projects, real estate development projects and operated share spaces that meet the JobsOhio project criteria.

Quinn said Black Diamond Development is committed to creating a lasting impact in the community and revitalizing properties that would have otherwise collapsed in disrepair.

“The cost of renovating these properties exceeds the market return and can only be accomplished with additional incentives such as tax credits and programs like the JobsOhio Vibrant Community Program.”

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Shawnee receives grant for renovation of downtown buildings