Last Friday evening, prior to Crestwood’s Homecoming football game, the Downtown Mantua Revitalization Corporation (DMRC) held a ribbon cutting event to celebrate the completion of the Façade renovation on Main Street. The event took place on the sidewalk in front of Crooked River Flowers (10676 Main Street), situated at the heart of the renovation which began this spring.
In his remarks to those gathered, DMRC President Toomas Tubalkain shared that a plan to return the historic store fronts to their 1870 and 1900 origins had been a goal for the DMRC since its inception in 1973. Tubalkain noted, “Today we mark the completion of the vision 52 years after it was proposed.” He acknowledged that there had been a lot of effort and pain with the project, including unexpected structural challenges that led to delays and unplanned costs. The project was completed thanks to a $225,000 grant in addition to $43,000 from the DMRC.
He thanked Visnapuu and Gaede Inc. Architects & Planners for their assistance on last year’s sidewalk improvements as well as this restoration project. He also thanked Zuzana Kubisova who provided the final design, after having completed design work at R44 Coffee on the opposite side of Main Street. “It’s like the Village’s front door has been enhanced,” Tubalkain concluded.
On behalf of the DMRC, River Kale, District Outreach Representative, presented Tubalkain with a proclamation from Congressman Dave Joyce, who represents Ohio’s 14th District in the House of Representatives, honoring the group’s energy and vision in completing this project.
Afterwards, guests went across Main Street to the Event Space at R44 to continue the celebration, enjoy cake and to hear more about the project from Ken Parker and Dan Tillet who helped bring the project to completion.
Other guests included Portage County Auditor Matt Kelly, Portage County Regional Development Director Todd Peetz, Mantua Mayor Tammy Meyer, and President of the Mantua-Shalersville Area Chamber of Commerce Randy Ellis, and former President Edie Benner (who led the DMRC as President for 17 years) were in attendance to show their support.
According to Mantua-Shalersville President Randy Ellis, last year the DMRC led the project to update the sidewalk to be safer and meet the criteria of the Americans with Disability Act. The project was completed through a $186,000 grant and $70,000 matching funds from the DMRC. “In this year’s project, the DMRC helped provide a more cohesive and historic look to Main Street, further enhancing the beauty of our unique downtown area,” he noted. “The funding for these projects starts with donations from you – our citizens who believe in our community,” Ellis concluded.
Each year, the DMRC raises an estimated $50,000 – $70,000 to help fund improvements into the community of roughly 1,000 residents. In addition to the façade improvements on Main Street, DMRC is completing the re-roofing of two pavilions and the addition of two restrooms with running water and flush toilets at Buchert Park; the playground equipment has also been updated.
For more information or to find out how you can help improve this historic Village, visit revitalizemantua.com
