A downtown corner in Lebanon, Ohio, that's been empty for five years is set to become new apartments and shops.
Lebanon City Council last week unanimously approved a development agreement with High Pointe for the Golden Turtle Station project, WCPO 9 reported. The project is estimated to cost $6.5 million.
What's planned
The former Golden Turtle Chocolate Factory building at Broadway and South Street will be demolished, according to WCPO. In its place, the plan calls for a three-story mixed-use building with 27 apartments above ground-floor retail space. Plans also include more parking.
Why the city stepped in
The chocolate factory closed in 2021 when its owners retired. City officials told WCPO the site was hard to redevelop because of environmental problems, including contaminated soil and asbestos.
When no private buyer came forward, the city bought the property in 2022.
"This is an important part of our downtown," City Manager Scott Brunka told WCPO. "It's right across from the Harmon Museum. The train is right here. We have thousands of kids who come and visit, so we did not want to see this corner of our downtown just sit vacant."
The city says the development agreement is structured to help taxpayers get back the public money already spent on buying the property and getting it ready for redevelopment.
Fitting into a historic downtown
Brunka said city leaders worked to make sure the project fits Lebanon's historic downtown.
"And create new space and a new activation of this part of our downtown while still recognizing that we are a historic downtown and people want to feel that when they come downtown," he said, according to WCPO.
Some residents worry new construction could overshadow the town's small-town feel. Downtown business owners, though, told WCPO they welcome more foot traffic.
"You can't go wrong with more foot traffic, and if something new brings in something new down there, hopefully they'll just keep on walking on up into something old," said Phyllis Parsons, owner of Kay's Shoppe, a downtown business open for 66 years.
Money for demolition still needed
There's one more hurdle before construction can start. The city must secure money for demolition and site preparation, WCPO reported. Officials have applied for state grants to help pay for demolition, environmental cleanup and soil remediation.
No timeline for the grants or construction was reported.
A common path for tough sites
Lebanon's approach is one many small cities use for brownfield sites. When contamination and asbestos scare off private buyers, a city buys the property, seeks state grants for cleanup and then partners with a developer for new construction. It takes time, but it can turn an empty eyesore into housing and retail.
Lebanon is the county seat of Warren County, and apartments over downtown shops are a type of housing many small Ohio towns are trying to add.
Why it matters for contractors
This project has work for several kinds of contractors, in a clear order. First comes abatement and demolition, since asbestos has to be handled before the building comes down. Then environmental remediation of contaminated soil. Then site prep, and finally construction of a three-story mixed-use building.
Abatement, demolition and remediation contractors in southwest Ohio should watch for the state grant decisions. If the money comes through, that work could be bid soon after. General contractors and trades interested in the new building will likely work through High Pointe.
A three-story building with 27 apartments over retail, built next to a museum and a tourist train in a historic downtown, will also need careful planning for staging, traffic and finish standards. Expect design scrutiny to match the city's focus on keeping downtown's character.