In the last couple of days, there has been activity spotted at the Graphic Arts Building downtown. Part of the Terra-Cotta Historic District, the building is located just south of the intersection of Fifth and Ludlow Streets, across Ludlow from the Third Perk coffee shop.
The Graphic Arts Building, erected in 1924, was designed by prominent architectural firm Schenck and Williams. It was once home to the Ohio Christian Book Association publishing house.
The structure was awarded historic tax credits last June and is owned by The Windsor Companies, developers of the Fire Blocks and owners of several additional buildings scattered across downtown. With the Arcade redevelopment progressing nearby, the anticipated influx of residents and businesses is likely making the property more desirable.
There hasn’t been any recent news about a forthcoming project as of yet, however. The only detail we’ve heard is that it will be a mixed-use development. In the past it was reported that the project may include housing targeted at Sinclair Community College students, with its location only a couple of blocks from the college campus.
This temporary wood structure is similar to the ones outside of the Huffman Building in the Fire Blocks, where several businesses are gearing up to open shortly. Whether the work here is merely pre-development or remediation, or if major construction will be begin soon remains to be seen.
Update 1/30/20: According to a source, a recent windstorm did significant damage to the exterior of the ground floor, essentially blowing it off completely, so this wood structure may be more for stabilization work instead of gearing up for construction. But hopefully once that is complete, something new will come soon.
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