Two downtown buildings receive funds from Paul Bruhn program

The Daily Jeffersonian
Updated ·2 min read
Part of the historic business district in Cambridge is 826 Wheeling Avenue. Once used as office space for doctors, dentists and real estate companies, the location is now home to Shaffer Insurance and the former Gypsy Daisy Co.
Part of the historic business district in Cambridge is 826 Wheeling Avenue. Once used as office space for doctors, dentists and real estate companies, the location is now home to Shaffer Insurance and the former Gypsy Daisy Co.

COLUMBUS — The Ohio History Connection has announced that two projects in Cambridge are recipients of the National Park Service’s Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grants Program.

The grants will assist Main Street communities in Ohio’s Appalachian region with the rehabilitation of historic buildings that prioritize economic impact, use of commercial first-floor space and upper-floor residential space and encourage reactivation of vacant spaces.

Water damage from the leaking roof is evident along the walls of the auditorium, requiring the blocking of adjacent seating at the Cambridge Performing Arts Center.
Water damage from the leaking roof is evident along the walls of the auditorium, requiring the blocking of adjacent seating at the Cambridge Performing Arts Center.

"Heritage Ohio is delighted to be working with the State Historic Preservation Office to administer the Paul Bruhn grants,” said Matt Wiederhold, executive director of Heritage Ohio. “The funded projects will help transform underutilized buildings and spaces in historic districts, create jobs and spur further investment in these downtowns.”

The community projects awarded include the JHI Cambridge Building, 826 Wheeling Ave., which is receiving a grant of $50,0000. The building at 826 Wheeling Ave., part of the Wheeling Avenue Historic District, houses threebusinesses and six apartments on the upper floor. Grant funding will be used for the needed roof, gutterand downspout replacement, as well as exterior masonry repairs to the parapet walls, side walls and chimneys.

The Cambridge Performing Arts Center, 642 Wheeling Ave., will receive $75,000. The funds will be used to repair the north section of the building’s roof and replace the south section. The project includes masonry repairs in the roof area, new flashing and new clay tile coping along the east edge.

“The two projects are both important historic structures in our historic district,” said Mary Beth Sills, director of Cambridge Main Street. “The ability to assist with needed repairs and the preservation of these structures were key in our pre-selection process, and Cambridge Main Street is thrilled that both were selected in the final round to receive the funding.”

Based in historic preservation, the Main Street approach was developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation to save historic commercial architecture, leverage local leadership, and transform local economies. Heritage Ohio will administer the grant projects in conjunction with the local Main Street organizations.

Ohio was one of 10 states to be awarded this funding and is part of the federal program for the second time. The Ohio History Connection is regranting $498,817 to seven projects in the four communities. The Ohio Main Street Program, administered by Heritage Ohio, works with communities across the state to revitalize their historic downtowns.

"The Ohio History Connection's State Historic Preservation Office is excited to be working with Heritage Ohio to bring these grant funds to Ohio's Appalachian region,” said Mary Beth Hirsch, acting director of the State Historic Preservation Office. “This is a rare opportunity to provide federal bricks-and-mortar dollars to rural communities to encourage main street revitalization through the preservation of historic buildings."

This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Two downtown buildings receive funds from Paul Bruhn program