Xenia facade work is more than rebuilding

XENIA, Ohio (WDTN) - Even under sunny skies...some of Xenia's storefronts have historically had a dreary appearance.

“Throughout the years what we have seen is that many owners updated their buildings and at the time it made sense, it gave them a more modern look, but it also meant that it was not a cohesive look...it was a collection of just different buildings," said Steve Brodsky, the city’s development director.

Looking across parts of downtown you’ll spot 70's architecture slapped onto the front of historic buildings; it was all part of an effort to hide the damage from the 1974 tornado…mask it, like maybe it never happened.

"Xenia has a special memory, maybe I’ll hit it head on, but I think maybe because of the tornado, there's kind of like an emotional memory of this downtown and I think how special it is to the people who live here,” Community Development and Downtown Coordinator Mary Crockett told 2 NEWS,

And that's why instead of hiding the past, Xenia officials are now embracing it. Thanks to a facade project that combines city, state, federal and private dollars, six downtown buildings are all getting a facelift.

Bill Faciane, the construction manager for the Toward Independence building, a corner stone on the city’s east end, says not only are they restoring the original brick, they're also recreating the woodwork. It’s tedious work, that has taken many turns like the day they uncovered old iron pillars.

“It was, some areas were in a deteriorating state, we are stabilizing it, and we are stabilizing it for another 60-80 years of life,” he explained.

And, the work isn’t lost on residents, Robert Archer, executive director for Toward independence, explained.

"The feedback that I get from the people who live and work in Xenia....they are very exciting to see the renovation…it impacts the entire community in a very positive way"

Archer says this work would not have been possible with out financial help. The non-profit is pouring between $100,000 to $200,000 into the renovation. But, without the help of Xenia and grants that bill would've been well over $500,000 An investment, city officials say is well worth the price-tag.