PROJECT: RE-MAIN | A plan to save and revitalize 3 buildings in Downtown Zanesville

1: THE PROBLEM

Three buildings on Main StreeT ARE ABOUT TO BE DESTROYED.

Both 606 and 608 Main Street have suffered damage to the rear of the structures due to abandonment and lack of maintenance. The initial damage has caused even more issues for the supporting walls, floors, basements, and more. Both buildings have been foreclosed and are being held by the State.

The city has been waiting (for 4+ years) to have a person or group to come to the table with resources, a plan, or both. As of today, there has been no movement. To further complicate the issue, 614 Main Street shares a wall with one of the damaged buildings and will likely not survive the next phase if no one steps up to the plate.

The buildings, if not saved in the next 90 days, will be demolished and a very important portion of our history will be gone with only a gaping hole left in its place.

2: THE PROGNOSIS

Next, a quick outlook on the situation and how "savable" these buildings are.

2: THE PROGNOSIS

THE OUTLOOK IS NOT
GOOD unless we move, and move now.

Depending on who you ask, the prognosis is either extremely bad or extremely good. There are downtown business owners, artists, city officials, and residents who believe the buildings need to be torn down yesterday. Some of those estimates for demolition are in the $1M -$2M range.

However, the vast majority of the people who know about this problem want to see the buildings saved and likewise believe it's possible. Estimates for bringing them back from the dead have been as low as $500K, to as high as $10M.

After all of this, the fact remains that we're a city divided when it comes to the 600 block of Zanesville and we've decided it's time to show up.

3: THE PLAN

Next, a look at how we're going to save the buildings and turn the block around in the process.

3: THE PLAN

SECURE THE BUILDINGS, SECURE THE FUNDING, SECURE THE FUTURE.

So far, we're the only group that's come to the table with a full plan. We're also the only group who has agreed to assume the risk of owning these properties. From what we can tell - that's been a major sticking point for both local interest and from the out-of-town developers who have come through our city for the purpose of *potentially* taking this project on themselves.

We get it. This is not a trivial project. But we believe that the greater the risk, the greater the reward. And if that logic is to be followed, then what we're looking at has at least the POTENTIAL to be one of the core reasons Downtown Zanesville doesn't only keep its heritage, but turns that specific block into one of the busiest portions of Muskingum county.

So far, we're the only group that's come to the table with a full plan. We're also the only group who has agreed to assume the risk of owning these properties. From what we can county.

WHAT'S THE APPROACH?

So far, we're the only group that's come to the table with a full plan. We're also the only group who has agreed to assume the risk of owning these properties. From what we can county.

• RECIEVE THE BUILDINGS (in process)
• SECURE ADDITIONAL FUNDING (in process)
• CREATE A CAS (CONTROLLED ACCESS SITE)
• SECURE THE BUILDINGS STRUCTURALLY (currently planning)
• WEATHERIZE AND COVER/PROTECT STRUCTURES
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• RENOVATION: PHASE 1 | FOUNDATION
•  DEBRIT REMOVAL AND FOUNDATION REPAIR/RESTORATION/REINFORCEMENT
•  REASSES
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• RENOVATION: PHASE 2 | MAIN STRUCTURE (walls, roof, floors, etc)
•  DEBRIT REMOVAL AND WALL/FLOOR REPAIR/RESTORATION/REINFORCEMENT
•  REASSES
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• RENOVATION: PHASE 3 | UTILITIES
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• RENOVATION: PHASE 4 | BUSINESS BUILD OUTS
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• BEAUTIFICATION PROCESS (ON MAIN STREET) | ARCHES, LIGHTING, ETC

WHAT WILL THIS COST?

The estimates for this project (and there have been many), range anywhere from $150k to $3M or more. They're also tied to various levels of repair and renovation. Some are tied to securing the properties for safety's sake, while others factor in a complete overhaul that includes new stores and businesses.

We're not interested in making the building's safe and then hoping for interest from outside groups - we want to see the buildings come back to life from a state of disrepair to a state of vibrancy. We don't only want to save them, we want to design and implement the restaurants and shops THEMSELVES that will create a completely new experience on at least one block of downtown Zanesville.

We want to show up to this project with more resources, rather than less. We don't want to get mid-way and realize we're short, and we don't want to chince on the aesthetics and quality once the buildings are restored structurally.

We have some doubters - but we believe in the power of community and the good will of Zanesville and its residents. That's why we're going for a raise in the amount of:

$5 MILLION

WHAT WE'LL HAVE:

So far, we're the only group that's come to the table with a full plan. We're also the only group who has agreed to assume the risk of owning these properties. From what we can county.

• 1 THIRD WAVE COFFEE SHOP

• 1 COLD PRESS JUICE BAR

• 2-3 TOP-TIER RESTAURANTS

• 1-2 COCKTAIL BARS or PUBS

• 8-12 INDUSTRIAL/LOFT APARTMENTS

• 1 BODEGA/CORNER STORE

WHAT WE'LL SEE AS A RESULT:

• INCREASED FOOT TRAFFIC
• BETTER WALKABILITY
• NEW DOWNTOWN VITALITY
• LOCAL AND NATIONAL ATTENTION
• MORE LOCAL AND NATIONAL VISITORS
• MAJOR REVENUE UPTICK DOWNTOWN

4: THE PLEDGE

Next, help us show interest and support by following 3 simple steps, including giving an donation estimate.

4: PARTICIPATION

STEP 1:

JOIN

First things first - click the button below and join the Facebook Page. We only have a limited number of days to make this happen so this is where we'll be concentrating our communications.

STEP 2:

COMMIT

We're not taking donations...yet. Instead, we want to show the intent of our community and city officials that the interest AND financial support is here.

The space below is not a hard promise or 100% commitment. This is an interest gathering exercise. Once we gather names and information and can use that data to prove we have support, we'll do the official raise with the help of the Muskingum Community Foundation.

We're collecting your info and will be in contact later when we're ready to come back and ask if you're still interested in helping financially. Again, this is not money donated today NOR are you promising to give it later. This entry represents what you could give, and would be willing to consider giving, if the project moves into the next phase.

I WOULD COMMIT TO GIVING:

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

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STEP 3:

What we can use (almost) more than financial commitments, is help sharing. Share articles, posts from the Facebook page, whatever you can find.