Downtown Marion experienced more positive growth in 2022
The past year has been witness to significant development news in the city of Marion's downtown district.
Vaughn Sizemore, development director for Downtown Marion, Inc., said one of the most significant events that will help the district move forward with development is its designation to the National Register of Historic Places. He said Downtown Marion, Inc. received notification of the designation on March 10, 2022.
That good news followed the announcement that downtown Marion has obtained designation as an Ohio Historic District in December 2021, which means that approved properties within the district are eligible to receive state historic tax credits. That process began in 2019 after Sizemore met with consultant and archivist Nathalie Wright, who compiled and documented 121 downtown properties that were submitted for inclusion in the historic district. A total of 109 buildings were included in the historic district.
The historic downtown district is bounded by Vine Street on the east end and runs west to the 300 block of West Center Street. Columbia Street marks the southern boundary and the railroad track north of Center Street marks the northern boundary of the district. The district includes long stretches of Center and Church streets as well as Prospect, Main, and State streets.
Since 2018, Sizemore said, 39 new businesses have opened in downtown Marion. However, three businesses have closed during that same time span. Thirty-five buildings are under new ownership and either have completed projects already open or have projects in the process of development. Developers have invested more than $8 million in private funding in the completed projects.
Sizemore noted that over the past four years, 350 full- and part-time jobs have been created by the growth of businesses in the downtown Marion, resulting in more than $11 million in new wages and salaries.
The newest development area that Downtown Marion, Inc. has identified is what the agency has dubbed the "St. Mary District" located on North Main Street between Center and George streets. Shovel City Drinkery, a upscale pub owned and operated by Derek and Andrea Mullins, made its debut in the "St. Mary District" in September 2020 prior to the area receiving its new moniker. Derek Mullins said the business has become a popular destination for Marion County residents and visitors from elsewhere.
Sizemore said he's been working with other developers to add new businesses to the "St. Mary District." The first of those is the creation of certified sommelier Megan Dawson, who recently opened The Wine Down at 119 W. Huber St. in the former Whitey's Tavern building. Dawson has completely transformed the space into an upscale wine bar that also offers charcuterie trays created by Leiha Lamb of the Yellow Finch to complement the wine.
Sizemore said other new projects in the works in the "St. Mary District" include a retail establishment and a 20-room hotel.
Center Street has seen growth of new businesses and tenants over the past year. The much-anticipated arrival of Amato's Woodfired Pizza occurred in March 2022 when the Delaware-based pizza restaurant opened at 143 W. Center St. Amato's has partnered with North High Brewing of Columbus at its Marion operation, a duo that only enhances the attractiveness of the popular eatery. In the 10 months it's been open, Amato's has already become a regional favorite drawing customers from several counties on a regular basis.
Around the corner from Amato's on South Prospect Street is a first for Marion. Dave and Lynn Roush of Marion are the creative force behind Kin and Kilt, the Scottish-themed pub and axe-throwing venue located at 130 S. Prospect St., in the block between Church and Center streets. The building is the former home of the Buckeye Lanes bowling alley and many years ago was once the home of various automotive dealerships, including McDaniel Automotive.
The Roushes said their goal is to give Marion another place where people can enjoy themselves and have a good time.
"We wanted to put in a nice pub, but the main reason we're doing this project is because we wanted to give something back to the town," said Dave, who is the owner of Dave Roush Heating and Cooling, Inc. "Marion has been good to us and we wanted to give back to the community."
Another project that is in the works for 2023 is the renovation of Founders Park at the corner of Church and Main streets in downtown Marion. The site has become a popular gathering place for a variety of events including the Third Thursday street festival and local concerts.
The City of Marion has earmarked $125,000 to install a bandshell at Founders Park and $60,000 to build two shelter/pergola structures along Church and Main streets. The bandshell, a cedar wood structure that is part of EnWood's Apex Series, will be 35 feet wide and 14 feet deep and electrical service will be installed. City officials said a concrete barrier will be installed behind the bandshell to provide protection from traffic that passes through the alleys and parking lot.
Main Street Reimagined, owned and operated by entrepreneurs Luke Henry and Alex Sheridan, is the first developer to take advantage of the historic tax credits with its Lydia Project. They are renovating and refurbishing the building located at 172 S. Main St. to be home to restaurants on the ground floor and apartments on the upper two floors. The estimated cost of the project is about $2 million and they hope to have it completed in the summer of 2023.
Henry and Sheridan also recently purchased the former Warehouse Italian Dinners building at 320 W. Center St. and are transforming it into Urban501, which will be home to a new restaurant on the ground floor and a wedding venue on the second floor. They hope to open the new venue in the fall of 2023. They also own event venues The Brickyard on Main and The Union, both located on South Main Street.
The block of South Main Street between Church and Center streets is now bustling with dining and retail choices and has become home to the monthly Third Thursday street festival that runs from the late spring through the fall.
Email: ecarter@gannett.com | Twitter: @AndrewACCarter
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Downtown Marion experienced more positive growth in 2022
