The New Bellefontaine: Locals Bring New Life to Small Town Through Downtown Rejuvenation

 

Renovated historic apartment buildings, hip local restaurants, quaint boutique stores and even a coworking spot and axe throwing venue. No, we’re not talking about the Short North or Easton Town Center or Bridge Park in Dublin. This is what you’ll find if you make a 60 minute drive northwest to Bellefontaine, Ohio (pop. 14,115).

 

Over the past decade, a dedicated group of entrepreneurs have been working hard to reshape the Downtown of this small city into a destination that locals can be proud of. Much of the credit for the rebirth is due to a development company called Small Nation, founded by local Jason Duff. To date, the group has renovated over 50 historic buildings in Downtown Bellefontaine, adding over two dozen retail and restaurant businesses and over 30 apartment units, with more projects currently under construction.

 

And while the progress in Bellefontaine feels like something special, Duff claims that their business model could be easily replicated in other smaller cities facing similar stagnation or decline.

 

More below:

https://columbusunderground.com/the-new-bellefontaine-locals-bring-new-life-to-small-town-through-downtown-rejuvenation-we1/

 

Newsmaker: Why serial entrepreneur Will Zell believes in Bellefontaine

 

Will Zell had his dorm picked out at Ohio State University.

 

Like many a small-town youth, he was ready to leave Bellefontaine, which in 2000 had a population of about 13,000 and a downtown lined with boarded-up buildings.

 

That changed when the 17-year-old launched a campaign for Bellefontaine City Council.

 

“My slogan was ‘a voice for the future,’” Zell said. He had it printed on pocket combs he handed out at fairs.

Zell lost the election, but he no longer wanted to leave his hometown.

 

The campaign had its roots in Zell’s high school internship with the Logan County Chamber of Commerce.

 

Networking with business and governmental leaders, he looked anew at those buildings that once housed small businesses – and decided to make his town better.

 

“That (campaign) opened a lot of other opportunities for me that just kept me planted here,” the 39-year-old said. “I love my hometown – and to be able to be part of the transformation, and then see it actually happening, has been very fulfilling.”

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2023/03/10/newsmaker-will-zell.html

 

Really love to see what's happening in Bellefontaine. Always rooting for more of our smaller Ohio cities to grow and thrive 

First phase of 'transformative' project on outskirts of region almost done

 

The first phase of a multi-million-dollar redevelopment of a historic building on the outskirts of the Dayton region is nearing completion. The project is part of the developer's larger effort to drive economic growth to the community. 

 

Bellefontaine-based real estate development firm Small Nation acquired the historic Opera & Empire Blocks in downtown Bellefontaine — a 40,000-square-foot, three-story, 10-storefront building built in the 19th century — in 2021. Since then, the team has pushed forward on a nearly $4 million project to bring the building back to life. 

 

Phase one encompassed renovations to the historic site, Jason Duff, founder of Small Nation, told the Dayton Business Journal. This part is almost complete, with only final touches left to do. Duff expects to be finished with the first half this month. 

 

The building has 13 storefronts — the first phase encompassing 11 of those, all of which are filled with destination retail, a bakery and a coffee shop. There is also a co-working space. 

 

Phase two will encompass two remaining storefronts, parts of the second and third floors, and streetery with patio space. Duff expects Small Nation to begin the last half in early 2024 and wrap it up in 2025. 

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/news/2023/09/02/bellefontaine-opera-block-redevelopment.html

 

11 minutes ago, ColDayMan said:

First phase of 'transformative' project on outskirts of region almost done

 

The first phase of a multi-million-dollar redevelopment of a historic building on the outskirts of the Dayton region is nearing completion. The project is part of the developer's larger effort to drive economic growth to the community. 

 

Bellefontaine-based real estate development firm Small Nation acquired the historic Opera & Empire Blocks in downtown Bellefontaine — a 40,000-square-foot, three-story, 10-storefront building built in the 19th century — in 2021. Since then, the team has pushed forward on a nearly $4 million project to bring the building back to life. 

 

Phase one encompassed renovations to the historic site, Jason Duff, founder of Small Nation, told the Dayton Business Journal. This part is almost complete, with only final touches left to do. Duff expects to be finished with the first half this month. 

 

The building has 13 storefronts — the first phase encompassing 11 of those, all of which are filled with destination retail, a bakery and a coffee shop. There is also a co-working space. 

 

Phase two will encompass two remaining storefronts, parts of the second and third floors, and streetery with patio space. Duff expects Small Nation to begin the last half in early 2024 and wrap it up in 2025. 

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/news/2023/09/02/bellefontaine-opera-block-redevelopment.html

 

I walked through the Build spaces during construction. Pretty great size. I must say Bellefontaine has mastered the pedestrian experience in their town.

10 hours ago, ColDayMan said:

First phase of 'transformative' project on outskirts of region almost done

 

The first phase of a multi-million-dollar redevelopment of a historic building on the outskirts of the Dayton region is nearing completion. The project is part of the developer's larger effort to drive economic growth to the community. 

 

Bellefontaine-based real estate development firm Small Nation acquired the historic Opera & Empire Blocks in downtown Bellefontaine — a 40,000-square-foot, three-story, 10-storefront building built in the 19th century — in 2021. Since then, the team has pushed forward on a nearly $4 million project to bring the building back to life. 

 

Phase one encompassed renovations to the historic site, Jason Duff, founder of Small Nation, told the Dayton Business Journal. This part is almost complete, with only final touches left to do. Duff expects to be finished with the first half this month. 

 

The building has 13 storefronts — the first phase encompassing 11 of those, all of which are filled with destination retail, a bakery and a coffee shop. There is also a co-working space. 

 

Phase two will encompass two remaining storefronts, parts of the second and third floors, and streetery with patio space. Duff expects Small Nation to begin the last half in early 2024 and wrap it up in 2025. 

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/news/2023/09/02/bellefontaine-opera-block-redevelopment.html

 

I would love to see all the small Ohio towns revitalize their downtown spaces. It’s crazy to me how many are not doing a single thing. It’s been shown time and time again that it brings life to the area. 

Bellefontaine is on the outskirts of the Dayton region?? It's actually in the Columbus CSA. 

Both can be (and are) true.

I suppose so. Columbus is, after all, located on the outskirts of the Dayton region.

1 hour ago, Pablo said:

I suppose so. Columbus is, after all, located on the outskirts of the Dayton region.

 

Now you're getting it!