NEWS

Civic pride drives downtown revitalization efforts

Spencer Remoquillo
Reporter

LANCASTER – A sprawling, revitalized downtown is the coveted part of any city.

Jean-Michel Matos, right, and Antonio Bolden work in the kitchen July 10 at Table 1 in downtown Lancaster.

Lancaster has fought for a bustling downtown for decades by filling empty, historic buildings and keeping residents shopping local.

What is the driving force behind Lancaster's downtown revitalization that other communities strive for? Local stakeholders, civic pride and patience.

Becky Hajost, one of the longtime local stakeholders, said it's a combination of these things that have finally brought a lot of lofty ideas and goals from many years ago to the forefront.

Hajost said the movement to rejuvenate downtown started a few years after the River Valley Mall was developed. A group of local stakeholders formed the Special Improvement District and Main Street Lancaster, now known as Destination Downtown Lancaster. The organizations continued transforming, and eventually they started to see the payout.

"I think the progress has been slow and steady and I am very encouraged," Hajost said, adding she can see other opportunities for advancement.

"I would like to see continued efforts in regards to the expansion of living options to include apartments and condos at varying sizes and price points," she said. "I think the downtown market could support a small grocery store and can see an auxiliary space downtown provided by one of our existing groceries, much like a Trader Joe's, only smaller."

Hajost was one stakeholder who opted to renovate a downtown building, 150 W. Main St., early on in 1999, opening Art & Clay on Main.

Customers have dinner Oct. 1 at Ale House 1890 in downtown Lancaster.

"Downtown has been a part of my family most all of my life," she said. "I have certainly been all in after opening Art & Clay on Main."

It wasn't until 2013 that Leslee Hanson, of Destination Downtown Lancaster, saw many of downtown's major elements coming together.

Hanson — who admittedly said she came in late to the downtown revitalization process — explained there were significant strides made over the past couple of years with the recent restoration of the Mithoff building and openings of other retail shops and restaurants downtown.

"It started building and we knew 2014 was going to be our year," she said, adding it was key stakeholders' diligence over the decades that have led to this payout. "It's going to be awesome to watch it unfold.

Alisyn, left, and Brenton Balsbaugh, from Greenville, paint ceramics March 4 at Art & Clay on Main in downtown Lancaster.

"None of it would've happened if they hadn't laid the groundwork," Hanson said about Hajost and other downtown stakeholders. "This was not an overnight process. It didn't just happen."

Energy is building around downtown, Hanson said, prompting looks and action from investors and residents.

Now that downtown rejuvenation appears to be in full swing, Hajost said there is still work that needs done, including focusing on transportation expansion between downtown, Ohio University Lancaster and Fairfield Medical Center.

"Our goal should be to keep evolving and work to continue exploring similar like-minded successful communities and leverage the devil out of our museums," she said.

sroush@lancastereaglegazette.com

740-681-4342

Twitter: @SpencerRoushLEG

Lillia Sammler, left, and Dustin Boyer try to decide how to paint a ceramic shark March 4 at Art & Clay on Main in downtown Lancaster.