Downtown building transforms into Booker Building
Feb. 13—LIMA — Restoring a building that is over 100 years old can be a challenge. Restoring a building that has a history in the community can add additional challenges to bringing the building back to life and sharing its history.
Shawn and Diamond Russell have a personal connection to the building on the southeast corner of Spring and Union. The building was owned by Diamond's grandfather, Booker Brown, who purchased the building years ago. He always envisioned something special would happen in the area. Due to unforeseen circumstances, his plans never materialized. He passed the building down to the next generation with great hopes that what was started can be completed. Now it starts to come true.
Addressing the Lima Rotary Club, Shawn Russell said, "The Booker is the first multi-functional space. Our goal is to provide spaces for local businesses and patrons that are innovative and exciting."
The Russells have gathered as much information as possible about the building's history, architecture, and construction. The building was once used by Dr. Watts, whose general practice was in the building from 1961 to 2003. Watts was the first African-American doctor in Lima that treated all races. He also hired the first African-American nurse in Lima, Chris William Stewart.
With the help of Brick Street Studio in Ottawa, the Russells have assessed the condition of the building that was built in 1910. The roof was the area that needed immediate attention. Plans based on historic research and building assessment led to the development of a comprehensive restoration plan that outlines the work that needs to be done, the materials and methods to be used, and the timeline for completion.
The finished building will be about 5,000 square feet — 2,500 on two stories. The bottom floor will house two event spaces that can be combined into one for larger crowds. The remaining area of the first floor will give Bean City Chicken owner Anthony Woodley a brick-and-mortar building for his restaurant. The second story will house four Air B & B units.
Jeff Krouse, of Brick Street Studios in Ottawa said, "Not only do we want to breathe new life into it, but we want to use this property as a business, as a way of telling Lima's story and preserving that history. I think we're more excited about the history behind it and the people that used to occupy it and the story that we're going to tell through the development and design and the re-imagining of it."
It will take some time to complete the transformation. The Booker Building possibly will be opened for use in 2024.
Reach Dean Brown at 567-242-0409
