Centerville-Washington Township Ohio Community Plan

Upcoming Events

June 23, 2004
Centerville Site Wins Development Award

The Graeter’s Ice Cream and City Barbeque site, located at the corner of Main and Franklin streets in Centerville, received the Best New Development Project Award from Downtown Ohio and Heritage Ohio. Graeter’s Ice Cream president, Clay Cookerly, recently accepted the award during the Annual Preservation & Revitalization Conference held in Dayton.

The project involved the redevelopment of the northeast corner of Main and Franklin streets, the major intersection in Downtown Centerville, located in the Architectural Preservation District (APD). As part of the redevelopment, the City of Centerville purchased a portion of the property north and east of the building to construct public parking. Because an existing medical office building was not compatible with the general character of the APD, the Centerville Board of Architectural Review approved its demolition, and the new building re-established the street edge on that corner.

"We couldn't agree more with the selection committee," said Cookerly of the award. "It is a wonderful building. The great majority of the credit goes to the vision of Greg Horn and Steve Feverston." Horn serves as Centerville's city manager and Feverston is the city planner. "It was really an evolution of ideas," he continued. "We appreciate the work of Centerville's Board of Architectural Review and the City Council."

"We're thrilled that the building was recognized," said Centerville Planner Steve Feverston. "We worked closely with Graeter's and the design team to ensure the building would reflect the historic flavor of the area. The design is consistent with the ideas proposed in the "Create the Vision" Master Plan. The building was a great initial project for an area which has been targeted for increased attention by the joint city/township comprehensive plan."

Centerville's Economic Development Administrator Bill Covell said the Graeter's/City Barbeque site is "clearly the anchor for the redevelopment of the entire historic district." Covell said that other downtown businesses have benefited from the two restaurants. "They've really helped create an energy and synergy for everyone involved with "The Heart of Centerville." Merchants are very committed to that area and Graeter's and City Barbeque are an important part of that." Cookerly agreed, "The long-term view Centerville is taking with the historic district is exciting to us. We hope our building is a catalyst for the second phase of development planned there."

More than 60 communities, organizations, and individuals submitted nominations for consideration, with the selection committee awarding 18. The awards recognize the numerous preservation and revitalization accomplishments of downtowns and neighborhoods across the state.

Downtown Ohio was organized in 1989 as a statewide non-profit corporation to encourage the development, redevelopment and improvement of downtown and neighborhood commercial districts. Membership is available to any municipality, organization, corporation or individual interested in comprehensive downtown revitalization.

Heritage Ohio was organized in 2000 as a statewide, not-for-profit organization dedicated to encouraging and assisting people and organizations to protect and preserve Ohio's heritage. For more information on either organization, call 614-258-6200 or visit www.heritageohio.org

For more information about the downtown Centerville revitalization effort, call Bill Covell, 428-4766.