MEDINA, Ohio -- Despite its historical significance and its expansive view of Public Square, the second floor of 50 Public Square -- the only city-owned building on the square -- sat unused for years because it was in need of repair.
“It troubled me as the mayor to have a place like this with such a beautiful view of the square and not use it,” Mayor Dennis Hanwell said.
More than five years ago, Medina Community Design Committee Executive Director Bill Lamb came to Hanwell with a plan to restore the building’s second floor. Since then, the city, the CDC, the Medina County Career Center and many others have worked to finish the project.
“It was a partnership tsunami,” Lamb said.
On Friday, a full house of government officials and community members came to the Fire Engine House’s second-floor ribbon cutting. The space above the Fire Engine Museum will house offices for the CDC, as well as Medina’s Archive Commission, which runs the museum. The second floor will also feature a community room, which different organizations can use to meet in while overlooking the square.
Lamb thanked many people for their help on the project, but gave a special shout-out to students from the Medina County Career Center, who did most of the labor for the project, saving the city and CDC on costs.
“It was a joyous thing to see the kind of energy and commitment from the students,” Lamb said.
The total project cost more than $80,000, with $25,000 coming from the city and over $30,000 being spent by the CDC. Murray Van Epp, who along with his wife, Sue, donated $25,000 to the project, said the finished result was impressive, especially seeing where it started.
“This building really exceeded everybody’s expectations,” Van Epp said.
Medina County Commissioner Bill Hutson said Medina’s continual renewal and restoration of buildings has continued to pay off for the city.
“It’s admirable that the city continues to invest in itself,” Hutson said.
Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof, R-22, said it was great to see the project come such a long way from where it started, and that it and projects like it are what make Medina’s downtown square special.
“This block is my favorite place of anywhere in the world,” said Medina County resident Obhof.
Read more news from the Medina Sun.