Ross County, OH– The revitalization of downtown Chillicothe is expanding with plans to turn a historic canal building into a mixed-use development space. Fluor-BWXT (FBP) recently donated $130,000 to support the restoration of the building located on East Main and Mulberry Streets.
The $8M project will be known as Preservation Hall. Plans include the redevelopment of 35,000 square feet to include an upscale restaurant, meeting space, co-working environment, and audio/visual production and training studios.
“Chillicothe has done an incredible job bringing new life to the community through the transformation of these historic buildings,” said FBP President and CEO, Greg Wilkett. “FBP is excited to be a part of an important project that will bring more opportunity for economic growth in southern Ohio.”
Built in 1833, it is one of the state’s last and largest remaining canal buildings from the Ohio Erie Canal era.
“The Preservation Hall project is transformational and will take Chillicothe to the next level, much like the restoration of the Carlisle Building did a decade ago,” stated Tammy Eallonardo, director of Greater Chillicothe & Ross County Development. “The restoration of this iconic structure complements our downtown district and celebrates our recent designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site.”
The donation is made in partnership with the Joint Economic Development Initiative of Southern Ohio (JEDISO). Over the past decade, JEDISO has invested more than $933M in Pike, Scioto, Ross, and Jackson counties. Those investments have created more than 2,500 jobs and retained another 8,300 jobs for the region.
Photo- Left to right Daphne Mosley, JEDISO; FBP President and CEO, Greg Wilkett, Franklin Conaway, Ohio & Erie Development Co.; FBP Chief Financial Officer, Heather Cate; Back Row Tiffany Lemaster, JEDISO; Sam Brady, JEDISO; Tammy Eallonardo, JEDISO and FBP Community Commitment Fund Chairperson, Tim Poe
