Grant will help with $6M renovation of Finney Hall at Muskingum

Brandon Hannahs, The Daily Jeffersonian
·2 min read

NEW CONCORD — Muskingum University wants undergraduates to enjoy the full college experience so a historic tax credit grant will allow the school to update one of its residence halls.

Muskingum University recently received a tax credit from the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program to update Finney Hall.
Muskingum University recently received a tax credit from the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program to update Finney Hall.

Muskingum will use the funds to restore Finney Hall, which was built in 1960. It was an upperclassmen dormitory that was closed so the university could start working on it in the summer 2022.

Muskingum will receive a $1,660,299 tax credit for the renovation project that will cost around $6 million, as Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced in December about state support for 54 rehabilitation projects to restore 57 historic buildings across Ohio. The funding is part of the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program (OHPTC), administered by the Ohio Department of Development.

Phil Laube, Assistant to the President for Special Projects and Investment, noted Finney Hall was being used before the project, but had a high vacancy rate compared to other undergraduate halls on campus.

"The building was under-utilized so this grant helps us refresh and update for our students," Laube said. "We want students to live on campus and get that full learning experience. It's important to give them a livable space to meet their needs."

Work at Finney Hall includes updating the heating and air conditioning, plumbing and electricity, as well as minimal asbestos removal of some floor tile and window putty. There will be renovations to the 65 rooms with private bathrooms and lobby/study areas on each floor as well as a computer lab and laundry room on the main floor.

Muskingum University recently received a tax credit from the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program to update Finney Hall. This will be one of the common areas for undergraduates in the hall.
Muskingum University recently received a tax credit from the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program to update Finney Hall. This will be one of the common areas for undergraduates in the hall.

Muskingum is using Lincoln Construction of Columbus as the main contractor, while Lepi Enterprises, Claypool Electric of Lancaster and Houston Plumbing & Heating from Newark are assisting with the project that is expected to be completed by Summer 2023.

Muskingum currently has 1,300 students in its undergraduate programs with about 60 to 65% living on campus so updating Finney Hall is vital to helping house more students.

Laube noted about 40% of the project will be covered by federal and state tax credits, while fundraising will help cover the rest of the cost.

"Finney Hall is an upperclassmen dorm so it allows more of them to stay on campus. There will be more natural light in the social areas and better access for the students," Laube said. "We'll also maintain its history with the wall and ceiling structures, while bringing it up to date. It's important for us to take advantage of these tax credits so we can meet our students' needs."

bhannahs@gannett.com; @brandonhannahs

This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Grant will help with $6M renovation of Finney Hall at MU