Hensville Revitalization Project to Move Forward

The Toledo Mud Hens learned today that they have been awarded nearly $4 million in Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credits by the Ohio Development Services Agency. The money is for the Hensville project to rehabilitate three structures on St. Clair Street in the Warehouse District in downtown Toledo.

"This is the news we've been waiting to hear," Joe Napoli, president and general manager of the Toledo Mud Hens and Toledo Walleye said. "We've had our fingers crossed and now we're ready to move forward. This is a great way to end 2014 and begin 2015."

The Hensville project will renovate and rehabilitate three buildings that have stood vacant on St. Clair Street for decades. The estimated cost of the project is $18.8 million.

The buildings at 3, 9 and 28 St. Clair Street will provide additional retail, restaurant, event, and office space. Outside the buildings, upgrades to the streetscape and creation of a new park will provide space for community events.

The Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit assists private developers in rehabilitating old buildings while protecting the historic integrity of the structures.

"These projects transform vacant and underutilized properties into viable places for business and living," said David Goodman, director of the Ohio Development Services Agency. "This program has been a valuable tool for community revitalization."

Napoli says this project has been a true community effort with excellent support from the city, the county and local businesses including ProMedica.   "Lathrop Co., LISC, Thomas Porter Architects, the Downtown Warehouse District, and Paul Sullivan were all instrumental in getting the historic tax credits as well as endorsement letters from the Lucas County Treasurers Office, the Lucas County Land Bank, Board of Lucas County Commissioners and the City of Toledo."

"We look forward to breaking ground in early 2015 and restoring these long vacant buildings into vibrant and exciting parts of Toledo's historic Warehouse District." 

It is estimated that "Hensville" will create more than 110 construction positions.