'There's always been a building on that block': Downtown Ravenna building being demolished

Demolition is moving forward on a downtown Ravenna building that has been hailed for its architectural history.

Though it's not exactly clear what will be built in the space when the building is gone, business owners hope to see some outdoor seating for customers of nearby businesses, green space and additional parking.

"If it's done right, it could definitely be nice to have next door to us," said Scott Hutchinson, manager of Guido's.

More:Demolition of downtown building moves forward, historians hail building's architecture

Neighborhood Development Services approached the city last summer with a plan to raze the building and replace it with green space, landscaping and some parking. The structure previously housed the law office of Municipal Court Judge Melissa Roubic. One of the city's downtown murals is painted on the side of the structure.

After a review of the property by the Ohio Preservation Office, the city decided the eventual development will include a historic marker, which will pay tribute to the art deco façade the structure once boasted.

When plans for the building's demolition first came to light, Kevin Gray, vice president of the Portage County Historical Society, pointed out that the 1920s building once hosted an art deco façade. Architects wondered if the façade was still in place, hidden by the newer bricks, but Gray said it appears that the old façade was removed when the building was renovated.

The art deco facade was put in place when the storefront was an Acme grocery store. A 1919 article in the Ravenna Republican reported on plans to replace "one of the oldest business stands in the city" with a "modern, up to date business block" on the same site. Fred Albrecht, who owned what was then called the "Acme Cash Basket" chain of grocery stores, said he had operated his business in Ravenna for the past four years.

Gray said he's wondering how long the foundation of the building has been in place.

"As long as Ravenna has been a village, there's always been a building on that block," he said. "It's just weird to think about that."

Gray said he's hoping that parts of the building that may have "historic significance" can be saved.

Mike Bogo, deputy director of Neighborhood Development Services, said exact plans for the property are still being worked out, and more information will come to light over the next 30 to 60 days. But the eventual development will include parking and landscaping and will be an "enhancement to downtown."

Trusses from the building are being saved and are expected to be incorporated into the eventual design, Bogo said.

In the late 1990s, there was talk of razing the building to provide for more downtown parking, but the city's administration at the time didn't support the project.

More recently, a group of downtown businesses discussed closing the block to provide an outdoor patio. However, Guido's management opposed the plan, fearing that losing through traffic and parking on the alley could harm the business.

Hutchinson said the alley and parking are still important to Guido's business, but he expressed hope that the eventual development will still maintain the through traffic and some parking, There are only a few parking spaces in front of the business, he said, and many patrons use the alley to drop off passengers before finding parking a block or so away.

While public seating would be a nice place for customers to eat their take-out meals, Hutchinson said he worries about who would be responsible for keeping the area cleaned up.

He predicted that when the building is gone, people will be surprised at how much space it leaves.

"That building takes up a pretty good footprint," Hutchinson said. "When it's gone, people are going to be surprised at how much space is there."

Arasin Hughes, executive director of Main Street Ravenna, said Main Street is consulting with NDS on the eventual design for the property. Main Street, she said, is advocating for things like a park, seating area for the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, and parking spaces tucked towards the back of the space.

"We don't want to see just a gray parking lot," she said.

Historian Wayne Enders said he is a customer of Guido's and understands that the restaurant needs all the parking it can get. But he said a building on that corner has been part of Ravenna's downtown landscape for decades.

"My concern is that when you tear down a building on Main Street, it looks like you had a fire," he said.

Reporter Diane Smith can be reached at 330-298-1139.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Ravenna building being demolished. What's next for the downtown site?