By: Jenna Lawson, WHIO
View video of the announcement on WHIO's website
There were many points in the last five years that community partners thought ‘Legacy Place’ might never happen.

It took time to capture nearly $13 million in funding sources, including historic tax credits – not to mention delays due to the pandemic. But on Thursday, partners announced the funds were released and they are able to move forward with the project. It’s possible construction could start within the next week.

‘Legacy Place’ transforms the Douglas Inn in downtown Urbana and two former elementary schools (North & South) into affordable senior housing. 51 units will be created for those 55 and older, with six of them being devoted to people with disabilities.

“It’s just a real renaissance for Urbana,” Mayor Bill Bean told News Center 7′s Jenna Lawson.

Duane Miller, with development company Flaherty & Collins and also president of F & C Legacy Place, said the project accomplishes two goals: turning three vacant properties into useful properties and filling the need for affordable senior housing in Urbana.

“I love to jump into the skin of a community that’s looking for help and looking for opportunities to spur on their own development,” he said.

The Douglas has been vacant since 2004 and has long been a large eyesore on the southwest corner of Monument Square. The building has somewhat deteriorated and was the target of multiple arson fires in 2019.

The former owner of the property, John Doss, has done work to stabilize the structure. The elementary schools, despite being about 100 years old, are in solid shape, partners said.

The timeline for the project will move quickly. Developers estimate about six months to complete both elementary schools and a little over a year to finish the Douglas. Partners are hopeful that the project will have a positive domino effect on other aspects of Urbana living including neighboring businesses and housing.

“We may see some of those seniors who may move in here and now their single family homes are available for a new families to move in,” said director of the Champaign Economic Partnership, Marcia Bailey.

Bailey added that this solution also preserves the history of all three buildings for the community to enjoy for decades to come. “Having these buildings standing as they are and being repurposed is a huge win for our community,” she said.

Other partners in the project include the City of Urbana, Urbana City Schools and Resident Supports and Services, Inc., which provides housing for seniors and adults with developmental disabilities.

DSA will reimburse two-thirds of the wages paid (up to $10,000) to an intern acquired through our program.  Companies can either be a tech-focused company or any company with the need for a tech-focused intern.  During this time of social distancing, the internship allows for and encourages, remote or telework opportunities.  Companies can hire as many as three (3) interns for different positions.  The minimum wage for interns is $15 per hour but can exceed that amount.  The internship period begins on November 1, 2020 and ends on April 30, 2021.
 
The company application is now open and interested companies can apply at https://development.ohio.gov/bs_thirdfrontier/diip.htm
 
Below is a 1 pager outlining the Internship Program. Please feel free to forward along to any businesses you think may be interested in this opportunity.

KTH Parts Industries in St. Paris, Ohio is hosting a walk-in hiring event on Sunday, August 16th from 1-4pm. Just bring a resume and photo ID to apply for an opening on 2nd Shift for a Product Associate. Learn more at www.kth.net.

KTH Parts Industries is hiring! The manufacturing company based in St. Paris, Ohio will host a walk-in hiring event on Sunday, July 19th from 1-4pm. Bring a resume and photo ID. To learn more about KTH, visit www.kth.net.

The new Cobblestone Hotel & Suites in Urbana officially welcomed its first guests on Friday, June 12th!
Reservations are now available online at https://www.staycobblestone.com/oh/urbana/