Posted November 6, 200915 yr With the latest controversy over the city wanting to demolish 57 homes without the oversight of the local preservation group, I thought that I would start this topic to document the process and for future preservation issues in Mansfield. The first article was already posted here, and an update: Demolitions concern downtown group By LINDA MARTZ • News Journal • November 6, 2009 MANSFIELD --The Richland County Historical Society now has historical review consulting status, allowing it to review the city's demolition lists. Downtown Mansfield wants to pursue similar status. But that group won't be included in the city's new two-year deal with the Ohio Historic Preservation Office, Mayor Don Culliver said. "We're not going to have 10 different entities that are going to put in red tape and slow down this process," the mayor said. "We can't have people at the end of the process, saying we're going to stop the process." ... More at: mansfieldnewsjournal.com
November 7, 200915 yr No, I don't have any photos. I don't think that they have released a list of the homes that they plan on demolishing.
November 12, 200915 yr Condemned house at issue in Mansfield By LINDA MARTZ • News Journal • November 12, 2009 MANSFIELD -- Having recently learned she still owns the house she thought was lost to foreclosure last year, Tina Powell wants to move back in at 152 W. First St. The city, however, placed a demolition order on the home this fall. Powell insists she's the victim of a big mix-up. ... More at: mansfieldnewsjournal.com
November 13, 200915 yr Went to the City Council public meeting last night concerning the demolition program and the preservation review process -- should have a blog entry posted sometime this weekend on the subject.
November 17, 200915 yr ^Do you happen to have a list of the homes they plan on demolishing? In other news... Mansfield Blockhouse readies for open house By LOU WHITMIRE • November 17, 2009 MANSFIELD -- An open house will show off the newly restored Mansfield Blockhouse in South Park from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday . Sunda Peters, past president of the Richland County Genealogy Society, said stairs from a house built in the 1830s eventually will be installed inside the blockhouse, but for now officials are using a ladder to reach the upper floor. Plans include exterior stairs, too. ... More at: mansfieldnewsjournal.com
January 4, 201015 yr History may save Mansfield house from demolition By AL LAWRENCE • News Journal correspondent • January 4, 2010 MANSFIELD -- The Ohio Historic Preservation Office says there's enough historical significance to the home at 331 Prescott St. that the city should review alternatives to demolition. Mansfield received that opinion Dec. 28 in a letter from Mark J. Epstein, head of the Resource Protection and Review Department. The home was among 57 on the city's demolition list but was pulled in November after local preservationists determined it was one of three that possibly were worth review for historic value. Richland County Historical Society and Downtown Mansfield were granted third party review status in November after $1.6 million in federal funds were suspended because the city didn't have a signed agreement with at least one local group interested in historic review. ... More at: http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20100104/NEWS01/1040303/-1/newsfront2/History-may-save-Mansfield-house-from-demolition
January 7, 201015 yr At least Mansfield is working on a process. Cincinnati's Section 106 compliance is a joke and they think the rules do not apply to them.We have a pre cilvil war house in our neighborhood Of Knox Hill that we indicated to the city was a contributing structuure and important to our planned registy nomination for the neighborhood. What did they do? The declared it a nuisance anyway and now its on the Demo list. I really wish they would come in and yank the Federal demo money and FORCE them to do proper section 106 review. It is Very frustrating when you have thousands of Cincinnati properties sitting on demo lists and NONE of them had proper review!
January 13, 201015 yr Developer warned to secure house on South Main By LINDA MARTZ News Journal • January 13, 2010 MANSFIELD -- A downtown business developer was told he must immediately shore up the basement of a house city inspectors worry will collapse. Mansfield Housing Supervisor J.R. Rice told the planning commission Tuesday he's concerned because the sandstone foundation on a house at 511 S. Main St. is turning to sand, causing one side of the basement wall to collapse. The house, owned by Landmark Properties, has a center beam with severe termite damage, he said. ... Read More Here
April 9, 201015 yr This building will not be missed. Ambassador joining the dust of history BY LOU WHITMIRE NEWS JOURNAL • APRIL 8, 2010 MANSFIELD -- The downtown Ambassador Hotel has been known by many names since it was built almost 50 years ago -- the Downtown Motor Lodge, Blue Dolphin, Park Place, Ramada Inn and Quality Inn. It soon will be known as a memory. The facility at Park Avenue West and Sturges Avenue beckoned patrons with entertainment, restaurants and lodging, catered meetings, wedding receptions and high school proms and banquets. ... Read More...
April 18, 201015 yr Tallest building here has long history Chase Tower changes hands for 4th time in 81 years BY LINDA MARTZ • NEWS JOURNAL APRIL 18, 2010 MANSFIELD -- The Chase Tower -- purchased this week by a local owner planning major renovations for the downtown landmark -- has an intriguing history. Farmers Bank President E.S. Nail, the businessman who spearheaded construction of the 12-story skytickler in 1929, made sure the new building would be the city's tallest -- higher even than Richland Bank, which was to be erected one block to the east. "Mr. Nail had power and influence," said historian Scott Schaut, who operates the Mansfield Memorial Museum. "He was the head of the Chamber of Commerce and was on the city council, and worked closely with the mayor. Read More...
June 25, 201014 yr Five storefronts adjacent to the main office of Mechanics Savings Bank on South Main Street will be returned to their original look in coming months. http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20100624/NEWS01/6240310
June 25, 201014 yr ^Thanks, I forgot to post that in this thread but posted it in two others. Mechanics Bank plans to expand it's office space in the renovated buildings.
August 4, 201014 yr I am glad that the levy passed and that Madison is getting a new Jr. High, but I wish they didn't have to tear down the old Jr.High. Madison Local will get new junior high building BY LOU WHITMIRE • NEWS JOURNAL • AUGUST 4, 2010 MADISON TOWNSHIP -- Voters approved a historic school bond issue Tuesday that will allow Madison Local Schools to build a new junior high school. Madison Junior High School was built in 1924, but will now be demolished. The Ashland Road facility had an eroding foundation, an antiquated heating and cooling system and asbestos. Residents OK'd a $35 million bond issue to build a new facility for students in grades 5 to 8. The new facility will be built on the site of the current Woo-ster Heights Elementary School. Read More...
September 13, 201014 yr I was recently in Mansfield and took pictures of the Mechanics Bank project, NCSC Urban Education Center project, the streetscaping project, and the demolition of the former Ambassador Hotel. The photos can be found here.
November 18, 201014 yr This news makes me so angry/upset. I know there were problems with redeveloping this, but it is a shame that it is being demolished. Most of Westinghouse set for demolition Only one building in 13.9-acre complex will remain standing BY LOU WHITMIRE • NEWS JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 13, 2010 MANSFIELD -- Demolition is expected to begin soon on one of the community's landmark buildings. All but one large building is set for destruction at the former Westinghouse complex, 245 E. Fourth St., between East Fourth and East Fifth streets. Steve Vuichard of Statewide, a Detroit, Mich., demolition company working at the scene Friday afternoon, said only a structure along East Fifth Street will remain standing. Read More...
November 19, 201014 yr So this is safe? I'm interested to run up to Mansfield and grab some photos. Besides Ohio Brass and AK Steel, does Mansfield have any other monumental factory office buildings?
November 20, 201014 yr Yes, that one is safe and I believe that the brick one on the corner of Newman and 5th St is also safe. Also, I don't know if you would call it monumental, but Tappan is a hot mess; there is a blue brick one on Park Ave East, north of the RR tracks, after the 42/PAE split; there is also Citation on North Main Street (near Harker St and Main); then GM; and lastly, there is a mostly abandoned quarry with an abandoned factory/warehouse on Richland Shale Rd (off of 13).
November 23, 201014 yr Aw, man. We had our 5th HS reunion in the Westinghouse warehouse. Sad to hear it's going to come down.
November 23, 201014 yr Not all of it is coming down, the building with the ballrooms is going to remain (the triangle building that Ink posted is safe).
September 9, 201113 yr Simpson demolition OK'd Bellville company submits lowest bid, wins Mansfield City Schools contract Sep 9, 2011 | Written by Bryan Bullock MANSFIELD -- Officials say work soon will begin to demolish John Simpson Middle School, a building that generations of Mansfield residents passed through. Mansfield City Schools Board of Education voted unanimously Thursday to accept a bid by a company to abate and demolish the vacant property at 218 W. Fourth St. Simpson, which was used by students for nearly 80 years, has been closed since 2007 as part of district restructuring.
September 19, 201113 yr Malabar's Big House crumbling 6:42 AM, Sep. 18, 2011 | Written by Jami Kinton LUCAS -- One of north central Ohio's jewels is in peril. Malabar Farm's "Big House," listed on the National Register of Historic Places, needs major repairs -- and funding. "It is in dire straits," Malabar Farm State Park manager Jason Wesley said. "There are over 70 wood structures on the farm, and it takes a lot of funding to keep them up the way they should be. "Our needs are so great because of the nature of the place. For the Big House, you can't just slap on vinyl siding and be done with it. Would (author Louis) Bromfield have done that? My guess is, probably not." Read More...
January 24, 201213 yr East Fourth Street closing until Valentine's Day 9:34 AM, Jan. 24, 2012 MANSFIELD — East Fourth Street between Ashland Road and Foster Street has closed until demolition of the Westingtonhouse building has been completed. Read More...
March 10, 201213 yr Cross posted in the Mansfield General Business and Economic News thread Land bank considered Expert suggests forming one to deal with problem of empty homes Mar. 10, 2012 | Written by Linda Martz MANSFIELD -- A state expert on foreclosed housing issues Friday urged local officials to form a countywide land bank to deal with abandoned and foreclosed homes. Mayor Tim Theaker said afterward he and city community development officials have discussed how to do that in a form Richland County commissioners could support. "We're working on it," he said. Read More...
March 12, 201213 yr I was in Mansfield yesterday. My childhood home on Cline, which I know is well over 100 years old, is still standing though I don't know how it has not been demolished yet. It is boarded up and I believe it is condemned, according to the next door neighbor, who has not helped matters by letting his dogs crap all over the huge yard (biggest on the block) without ever cleaning it up. When I grew up, we still had a hitching post in the front yard. I wonder if it's still there. It was amongst the trees that lined the driveway in between our house and the next door neighbor. It's such a shame someone couldn't have saved and renovated that house.
June 24, 201212 yr Photos: Buildings razed for parking lot I was not aware that this building was being torn down. It is so ridiculous that this building had to go, there are no parking issues in Mansfield.
June 24, 201212 yr Yeah, I knew this was being torn down, it was in a facebook group I'm on about people from Mansfield. Terrible.
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