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In Marysville, it's hard to keep track of all of the changes. New businesses are arriving. New and exciting projects are coming to fruition. Historic buildings that have been vacant for years are suddenly getting second (or third or fourth) chances. We are beginning to think that the only thing that changes faster than Marysville is the weather - and we could not be happier.
The Uptown Renewal Team will use this page to announce exciting new projects as well as provide important updates, news, and notices. Although this page is updated frequently, another important tool you can utilize is our newsletter, appropriately called the URT Alert! The URT Alert! is the official publication of the Uptown Renewal Team and is published quarterly. To download recent editions of the URT Alert!, please see below.
Mrs. Laura Bush Designates Marysville a Preserve America Community
December 16, 2008 - Marysville, Ohio was recently honored when First Lady Laura Bush, Honorary Chair of the Preserve America initiative, designated the city as one of the nation’s newest Preserve America Communities.
“Preserve America Communities demonstrate that they are committed to preserving America’s heritage while ensuring a future filled with opportunities for learning and enjoyment,” Mrs. Bush said. “This community designation program, combined with the Preserve America Grant Program, Preserve America Presidential Awards, and other federal support, provides strong incentives for continued preservation of our cultural and natural heritage resources. I commend you for your commitment to preserving an important part of our nation’s historic past for visitors, neighbors, and, most importantly, for children.”
The City was notified of the honor this week and will receive a certificate of designation signed by Mrs. Bush announcing Marysville as a Preserve America Community. Marysville will join Canal Winchester, Dayton, Delaware, German Village, Granville, Medina and Piqua which have received the designation in previous years. Communities designated through the program receive national recognition for their efforts. Benefits include the right to use the Preserve America logo on signs and promotional materials; eligibility for Preserve America Grants; notification to state tourism offices; and listing in a Web-based directory that will showcase Marysville’s preservation efforts and heritage tourism destinations. Preserve America Communities are also featured in National Register Travel Itineraries and in “Teaching With Historic Places” curricular materials created by the National Park Service.
The Preserve America initiative is an Administration effort to encourage and support community efforts to preserve and enjoy America’s priceless cultural and natural heritage. The goals of the initiative include a greater shared knowledge about the nation’s past; strengthened regional identities and local pride; increased local participation in preserving the country’s cultural and natural heritage assets; and support for the economic vitality of our communities. Application for the Preserve America designation was made by the Union County Chamber of Commerce and a group from its 2007-2008 Leadership Union County class, consisting of Doug Golden, Mike Rose and Robin Slattman.
“Sustainable historic preservation is a wise investment in the future, not a cost for maintaining the past. Communities and the nation receive significant economic, educational, and cultural benefits, including heritage tourism, in return for their preservation efforts,” said John L. Nau, III, chairman of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, which administers Preserve America programs for the White House in cooperation with the Department of the Interior. For more information about the initiative and its programs, visit www.preserveamerica.gov.
Mayor Chris Schmenk said about the award, “I appreciate all of the efforts of the Union County Chamber of Commerce and the individuals who applied for this designation. This designation along with the various other local efforts by the Historical Marker Committee, Covered Bridge Committee, Uptown Renewal Team, Certified Local Government Program, Union County Historical Society, and our Historic Design Review Board will insure that we preserve our history for our citizens.”
Uptown Marysville to Receive $400,000 Grant
December 4, 2008 - The City of Marysville and the Uptown Renewal Team have learned that they have received a $400,000 downtown revitalization grant through the Comprehensive Downtown Revitalization Program. “This grant will lead to approximately $5.1 million in investment” stated Mayor Chris Schmenk.
Marysville was one of six communities to receive a grant. The city competed against nine other communities including Celina, Chillicothe, Fostoria, Geneva, Marion, Montpelier, Piqua, Whitehouse and Williard. “This program is very competitive and we are thrilled to have been selected” stated Mayor Chris Schmenk.
The grant will be utilized for a building improvement program consisting of approximately $170,000 for streetscape improvements, $170,000 in infrastructure improvements, and $60,000 for grant administration. Building improvements will be made to twenty-four buildings in Uptown Marysville. Improvements range from new roofs, windows, façade replacement, ADA and code compliance. “This could have significant impact on the aesthetics and economic viability of Uptown Marysville” stated Jim Cox, Chairman of Uptown Renewal Team.
The main objective of the CDRP is to assist in the revitalization of Central Business Districts and aid in the elimination of slums or blight. Under the CDRP, there are three “Tier” programs. The City of Marysville and the Uptown Renewal Team received a Tier One grant in 2005 in the amount of $15,000. The grant was used for developing the Marysville Uptown Revitalization Plan and Marketing Study. This year, the City of Marysville will receive the maximum grant allowed under the Tier Two Program.
City Observes National Preservation Month
May 16, 2008 - Officials in Marysville joined hundreds of communities around the country as part of a nationwide celebration of 2008 National Preservation Month. "This Place Matters" is the theme of the month-long celebration, which is sponsored nationally by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
In Marysville, Preservation Month was observed by a ceremony at the Houston House (264 W. Fifth Street) on Friday. Mayor Chris Schmenk signed a proclamation officially declaring observance of Preservation Month and offered recognition to several organizations for their dedication to managing growth, revitalizing neighborhoods, fostering local pride and maintaining community character. The following organizations were recognized: Union County Historical Society, Marysville Public Library, Marysville Uptown Renewal Team, Union County Leadership Institute, Union County Chamber of Commerce, and the Union County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Mayor Schmenk noted the significance of Marysville's history to the region and thanked the organizations that have worked hard to preserve the city's historic treasures. "I am proud that Marysville has not forgotten its past. We always look forward to the future with great optimism, but we have not, nor will we ever, forget the people and places that have made our community great," said Mayor Schmenk.
City officials believe that the current wave of redevelopment in Marysville's Uptown district is only the beginning. A number of other projects are already being planned, including the painting of a mural on an Uptown building. The project, being spearheaded by the Union County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Union County Arts Partnership, will depict sites throughout the county and pay tribute to Union County's rich heritage.
"It's an exciting time. Marysville is growing and we are doing it without losing our hometown charm and historic qualities," Mayor Schmenk said. "With our partnerships and the hard work and dedication of our residents, we are moving our community in the right direction."
Since the National Trust created Preservation week in 1971 to spotlight preservation efforts in the United States, it has grown into an annual celebration observed by communities across the nation with events ranging from architectural and historic tours and award ceremonies, to fundraising events, educational programs and heritage travel opportunities. Due to its overwhelming popularity, the National Trust has extended the celebration to the entire month of May and declared it Preservation Month to provide an even longer opportunity to celebrate the diverse and unique heritage of our nation's cities and states and enable more Americans to become involved in the growing preservation movement. This year will mark the first official Preservation Month.
Pictured: Left to Right
Karen Page Chair of Organization Committee of URT, Jason Stanford, Economic Development Partnership and URT Liaison, Bo Johnstone, Union County Historical Society, Ryan McDonnell, Marysville Public Library and City Administrator Jillian Froment, City Administrator witness Mayor Chris Schmenk sign proclamation.
Photo by Christy Clark, Union County CVB.
Welcome to the Neighborhood!
New Businesses in 2008
Uptown Antiques
Personal Touch Awards & Gifts
Dynamic Self Defense
Marysville Photo
Ribbon Box Cakery & Gifts
Express Personnel Services
Doc's Bakery & Cafe
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view URT's Alert Newsletter, Accomplishments and Strategic Plan. If you do not have this installed, you can download it from Adobe's Web site.
Page updated 12/23/08