New life for downtown Wooster: Amazing potential in the Faber Building
By Ellen Pill
June 30, 2016
852
Plans were revealed last week for a complete renovation of the Faber Building in downtown Wooster. Located at 148 W. Liberty St., the building sits on the west side of the new Spoon Market location. The mixed-use commercial building was built in 1890 and has stood vacant for the past 12 years. Many Wooster residents may remember that location as a variety of retail establishments with apartments in the upper floors. The iconic structure was originally owned by Quinby Jones.
On February 4, 1891, a headline in the Wayne County Democrat read: Local News: Quinby Jones on Monday sold his new West Liberty Street building to Emil Faber.
Vertical Runner, a specialty running/athletic store, explains via Facebook: While to some, the Faber Building...may seem like an unlikely candidate just because of the incredible renovations needed to bring this historic building back to life, we see it as an incredible opportunity to provide more space...which at the same time filling a void in the great City of Woosters Historic District...Look for us to be there in August, 2017!
The renovation is made possible through the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program. Through this program a sizable tax credit is provided to owners and long-term lessees of historic buildings to complete rehabilitation projects. Eligible buildings must have an official historical designation either through the National Registry of Historic Places; by contributing to a National Register Historic District, National Park Service Certified Historic District or Certified Local Government Historic District; or be listed as a landmark by a Certified Local Government. Single-family homes or multifamily residential condominiums are not eligible for the tax credit.
In Wayne County there are 549 structures that have been recognized and registered by the Wayne County Historical Society as historic places. These buildings have been recognized by the National Register of Historic Places or have been designated as a County Historical Landmark, a Century House, a Pioneer House or a 100-Year-Old-House. Wooster alone is home to 71 of these historic buildings.
The Ohio Development Services Agency awarded $27.8 million in Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credits to 26 applicants to rehabilitate 39 historic buildings. Together, the projects are expected to leverage approximately $261.4 million in private investments in 14 communities. The Faber Building project is the first in Wooster to be awarded Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credits in Wooster and Wayne County. The project cost is $860,000 with a tax credit of $168,500.
David Goodman, director of the Ohio Development Services Agency, explained to an audience of invited guests at the Wayne County Library during the formal announcement: We are very proud and excited about this one...these projects have a catalytic effect. Goodman explained how each renovation project leads to and encourages the next. Preserving these historic buildings will help revitalize neighborhoods and downtowns, Goodman said. Historic rehabilitation transforms underutilized properties into assets for communities.
The Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program is administered in partnership with the Ohio History Connections State Historic Preservation Office. The State Historic Preservation Office determines if a property qualifies as a historic building and if the rehabilitation plans comply with the United States Secretary of the Interiors Standards for Rehabilitation. Developers are not issued the tax credit until project construction is complete and all program requirements are verified.
Ohio Senator Frank LaRose, speaking to the assembled guests during the renovation announcement, shared the importance of preserving a historic sense of place. We here in Wooster have what everyone else wants...They are trying to build [new structures] that look like a historic downtown. This is what Wooster has and is striving to preserve in this upcoming renovation. The senator said, This is our history. This is our future.
