A once-dilapidated structure looming over a downtown landscape is undergoing a transformational project that will breathe new life into a local community. The project has been seven years in the making and recently received a boost from the state.
The long-vacant Ohio Building that has sat idle in downtown Sidney is the focus of major redevelopment, set to begin as early as April. The $11.2 million project has been funded by a mix of state and federal historic tax credits, and with all the capital in place, Woodard Development is in the process of getting final permits for interior renovations approved and will be accepting bids for the work once plans are finalized.
Redevelopment efforts include 6,000 square feet of space split between retail and office, as well as 14 studio, 22 one-bedroom, and four two-bedroom residential units. The redevelopment work is expected to take 12 months to complete, with the whole building anticipated to open by summer 2025.
Currently, Woodard is halfway through interior demolition efforts to take care of clearing plaster and debris that has been ruined from years of water infiltration. The exterior of the building will remain unchanged, and existing corridors will stay in place with repairs done as needed.
For Jason Woodard, principal at Woodard Development, working with the city of Sidney on the project was an opportunity that couldn’t be passed up.
“Redevelopment is something that we’ve done a lot of, and it becomes very proficient in those types of projects,” Woodard said. “Just Sidney as a market has an incredible employment base and all the staff we’ve encountered has been great to work with very welcoming. That certainly helps draw attention and make us eager to invest in a community when they have all these positive trends going forward.”