Funding, multi-million restoration plans announced for Newark's historic Sullivan Building

Kent Mallett
Newark Advocate
Connie Hawk, executive director of the Licking County Foundation, announced renovation plans last year for the famed Louis Sullivan Building behind her in downtown Newark.

NEWARK – The money has been raised and plans are in place to continue the $7.7 million restoration of the historic Sullivan Building in downtown Newark.

The Licking County Foundation, which received the building as a donation in 2013, announced Wednesday the capital campaign has raised money to secure a grant for the massive project, expected to be completed and open to the public in 2021.

"The experience will be when you walk in the door it will be like 1915," said Connie Hawk, director of the Licking County Foundation, which accepted the building as a donation in 2013, and planned for the restoration ever since.

The Sullivan Building, at 1 N. Third St., was built in 1914 and opened in 1915 as the Home Building Association Company. It was one of eight banks, known as jewel boxes, designed by famous architect Louis Sullivan.

Did Hawk ever have doubts the capital campaign would eventually be able to raise the funds?

"No, because of the purpose and generosity of the community and because it's the Sullivan Building," Hawk said. "We continued to tell the story of the building and what it was all about, and why it's important. We had a lot of events in the building and tours, helping folks enjoy what a real treasure we have."

The LeFevre Foundation Annex, located next to the famed Sullivan Building, will be renovated as part of the Sullivan restoration project.

The foundation raised the required $1.5 million match to secure a $750,000 grant from the Jeffris Family Foundation, well before the June 30 deadline. The grant and matching funds brings the total raised of $2.25 million toward the $2.5 million needed for the exterior restoration which began in May and should finish in December.

The exterior work will restore the facade, including the intricate terra cotta, art-glass windows and mosaics, and install new doors, lower-level windows, roof and facade illumination.

The interior restoration will include the murals, marble, mahogany, safe, lighting, check counters and wood benches. The interior work, including the adjacent LeFevre Foundation annex will cost an estimated $5.2 million.

Based on gifts and anticipated Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credits, the foundation has a fundraising goal of $3.9 million to see the entire project through to completion.

Eschol Curl, chairman of the Licking County Foundation governing board, thanked the Jeffris Family Foundation for giving the project a funding boost.

"Their partnership has served as an invaluable springboard for this project's success," Curl said. "The grant helped give us the confidence that this important restoration was truly possible, and now it's well underway.

"Restoring this building's facade was imperative. It's what has drawn people from all walks of life to the building for over a century. Someday soon it will become the center of Licking County tourism."

When completed, the building will become home to Explore Licking County, which promotes tourism in the county.

Sullivan Building:Restoration begins on historic building in downtown Newark

The first floor, with a 16-foot ceiling, will become the county's new welcome center, with a retail component including work of Licking County's craftsmen and artisans. The Explore Licking County offices will be on the second floor, with visitor information and event space in the basement.

LeFevre Foundation annex, at 10 W. Main St., will be renovated to provide elevator and stairway access to the Sullivan Building.

Dan Moder, executive director of Explore Licking County, said the historic building will provide a great home for the organization.

"To know I'll take my team into this building and perpetuate the Sullivan legacy, there was no hesitation with my group to say yes," Moder said. "Tourism is a huge part of the economy and the financial well-being of this county."

Moder said Explore Licking County has four employees, but may add a fifth person to work with with a volunteer force when the Sullivan Building re-opens.

"We'll do a lot of public programming," Moder said. "The sky's the limit. I'd love to open it up to all county non-profits."

The Sullivan Building rehabilitation began in the 2,900-square-foot basement, which stretches under the sidewalks of Third and Main streets, in conjunction with the city's downtown utility upgrade project. The first and second floors are 1,100 square feet.

kmallett@newarkadvocate.com

740-328-8545

Twitter: @kmallett1958

Sullivan Building restoration

Phase 1: Plan development, basement rehabilitation, purchase of adjacent annex building. Completed.

Phase 2: Exterior restoration, $2.5 million. Began in May and to finish in December.

Phase 3: Interior restoration, $3 million; annex work $2.2 million. Begin in 2020 and to finish in 2021.

Sullivan Building timeline

Aug. 25, 1915: Home Building Association Company opens new office at 1 N. Third St., Newark.

1928: Home Building Association Company joins with Franklin National Bank to become Union Trust Company.

1942: Union Trust Company merges with Licking County Bank. Building sold to William Camlin.

1943-46: Sanitary Meat Market occupies building.

1946-1973: Symon's Best Jewelry Company occupies building.

1973: Building added to National Register of Historic Places.

1979-1983: Mutual Federal Savings and Loan Association occupies building.

1984-2007: Tiffany's Ice Cream Parlor occupies building.

2008: Stephen Jones, a 1983 Newark High School graduate living in New York City, buys building, removes drop ceiling on first floor, seeks restoration.

2013: Building donated to Licking County Foundation and preservation planning begins.

Aug. 22, 2015: Centennial observance of Louis Sullivan's Newark jewel box bank.