FNB: ...and so it begins!

2 years, 6 months, 6 days after we purchased the First National Building, work FINALLY begins!

I never thought I would say that I was glad to see a dumpster...but today it was delivered and I was glad!  It's hard to believe...but the day has finally come for hammers to swing in earnest.  

Today Matt Dye Construction arrived to begin the demolition of the second floor of the First National Building.  We begin the rebirth of one of the oldest buildings in downtown Montpelier.

To say that I am excited is an understatement.

FNB: Exciting News! We have been granted "Partial Plan Approval"!

Today I received some long-awaited news - we have been granted "Partial Plan Approval" for the First National Building.  All that means is that we can BEGIN work but we can't FINISH until the Plans Examiner is satisfied with the details and specifications of the new systems being installed.  I still have work to do but at least we can get started!

Dumpster will be delivered tomorrow.  Contractors arrive later this week!  The excitement is growing!

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A short note to explain the silence over the last two months.  We received a surprise when the Bureau of Building Code Compliance (aka "the State") required us to install a monitored fire alarm system in the building (March 10).  We spent a month designing and pricing said system - estimates ranged from $9,000 to $20,000.  We decided that the cost to install plus the perpetual maintenance and monitoring costs were not acceptable for the viability of the project.  So we spent the next month re-designing and coordinating to comply with the Building Code as the State required.

Honestly, I could not bring myself to type a sad and frustrating update about going back to the drawing board AGAIN.  I would rather trudge quietly through and celebrate on the other side.

We submitted for Building Permit on May 7, the Village received the Grant Funds on May 12, we close on the loan May 21.  It's been a busy month - it will be a busy Summer and Fall!  Thank you, Father, for the patience and perseverance to see this project to this point.  Please help me to carry it through!

FNB: Transformations Through the Years

OK, I might be a total geek...but going back in time (through photos) is an interesting adventure whether you are looking at family or buildings.  It's fun to look for the things that you may have missed...or never knew were there!

This photo of some local (1890's) rufians from Al Benjamin is a fine example.  While there are MANY observations to make about our community from this photo I am, of course, concerned with the First National Building which appears in the background:

1. This is the first photo that I have seen without the metal cornice on the corner.  We suspected that the brick detail that shows up on the neighboring storefronts was original and probably extended along the front of the First National Building.  This photo shows that our suspicions were correct.

2. A small observation, but is important for the next, is that the Empire Street elevation was solid...no windows or doors.

3. No corner post.  The storefronts along Main Street appear identical for the original building block (3 storefronts).  It serves to reason, since the corner post and details are metal too, that these were added by the First National Bank.

4. Writing in the second floor windows (illegible) indicates that the second floor was occupied by an office or other business venture.

For those of us who don't visualize very well I put together a comparison.  The angles aren't exactly the same but show in pretty clear detail the transformation that the building went through when the First National Building moved in...and what it looks like now.  That's the reason we are working on this important central building in our community!

FNB: A Thumbnail History

For those of you who don't know, we have a wealth of historical information for our community.  We are fortunate in our community to have several local history buffs who take a lot of time to document the history of buildings, businesses and people from our collective past.  

We were fortunate this week to receive assistance from two of our local historians - Al Benjamin and Bob Bauer.  Between the two, we have been able to piece together a few additional details on the First National Building...

Empire Street ca. 1890
First National Building on the left
Photo reproduction from Montpelier, Ohio 1845 - 1976

1881 - The building that would become the First National Building was built by the business associates Messrs Foltz, Moor and Louden.  The building was a speculative venture including three storefronts along Main Street.  Tenants of the building would continue to change frequently.

Main Street Carnival 1906
Photo from Al Benjamin

1900 - The First National Bank (namesake of the building) was established and purchased the building.

1903 - The First National Bank finally occupied their building with the installation of the new vault.  The cornice and corner detail were probably added around this time.

With the establishment of the First National Bank on the southeast corner opposite the Montpelier National Bank (southwest corner) 1900-1903 established this intersection as the center of downtown Montpelier.

Empire Street ca. 1910
Tinted postcard from Bob Bauer

1903 - 1915 - A long list of professionals and businesses occupied the "rooms" along Empire Street at 224 1/2 W. Main Street, the second floor of the First National Building.  Real estate agents, dentists, attorneys, dance studios and even new newspaper operations got their start behind and above the new bank.  Some of these businesses lasted only a few months, others many years.
 

Montpelier High School Band marching down
Main St. ca. 1946
Photo from Al Benjamin

1916 - In January of 1916 the First National Bank and the Montpelier National Bank merged and consolidated their operations in the National Bank's building across the street.  The building would never operate as a bank again but would retain its distinctive detailing.

1926 - Perhaps the most memorable occupant of the FNB (among older residents) was Carr's on the Corner.  Ted Carr made candy and operated a lunch counter and soda fountain out of the corner storefront from 1926 - 1955.

Later occupants of the First National Building included insurance, real estate and and a variety of other businesses.  One thing remains the same...the First National Building is at the heart of downtown Montpelier.  With the restoration of this significant landmark we hope to continue the revitalization of the heart of Montpelier.

 

 

 

FNB: An Asset for Future Projects

Since we moved back to Ohio, I've talked with a lot of people about downtown buildings.  The questions revolve around: what should we / could we / can we do with these old buildings - many of which need a huge amount of work?

It occurs to me that God has set this project before us for several reasons...

A. There are architects who specialize in this sort of work but they are mostly located in cities and communities outside of our region.  I have to admit that, while I know a lot about old buildings, I was not prepared for the huge effort in getting the documentation and funding pulled together.  I was also not prepared for the scrutiny - on the part of the State - for the work that we were doing.  This project has been an AWESOME learning experience for me!  Thankfully, this is OUR project and my time counts as "service in-kind" = I am effectively doing this work for free.  Whatever learning curve / adjustments we have gone through along the way has been at my own expense.

B. This project has been awesome training for every aspect of this type of project.  At this point I have acted as: Architect, Grant Writer, Leasing Agent, Property Manager, Public Relations Office, Estimator, and currently as General Contractor.  I have to admit - I have previously taken each of these people for granted in some way.  No more!  Each of these folks have my utmost respect because each of these jobs is difficult in its own way.

C.  It is my hope that downtown Montpelier (and the rest of Williams County) can benefit from this experience!  Learning to accomplish a single goal is good but I hope to be able to apply this education to other projects to benefit our community.  If nothing else, I know better what questions to ask when a project gets started.

Working on a schedule...October 31 is coming very quickly!

FNB: Just when we thought we were ready...

Just when we thought we were ready, it turns out we are not.  Of course this wouldn't be a normal downtown revitalization project without a hiccup or snag...

A few weeks ago I met with a VERY helpful plans examiner from the State of Ohio.  See, because Montpelier / Williams County is a rural part of the state, we don't have our own building department.  Changes and updates to commercial buildings generally require approval from the State.  I met with the examiner for a "Preliminary Plan Review."  We both thought we had the project nailed down.  However, as I finished up the code review, I discovered we had an "occupancy" situation. 

The First National Building and it's neighbor share the corridor on the second floor and the stairs at either end - the "means of egress".  Since we plan to significantly update the stairway and lobby (see my earlier post on what we plan to do) we now have to comply with the CURRENT building code which is much more restrictive. 

Suffice it to say that this is a situation that requires more than an administrative OK.  Boy was I antsy to get going the first of March...but that's not going to happen.  I'll be attending a meeting of the Board of Building Appeals on March 10 to ask for relief from the building code due to the hardship of working with an old building.  Hardship...that's an understatement :).

I have to say, though, that this process is much easier with a helpful examiner who is willing to discuss the situation and work with me on a resolution.  Thank you Mr. Plans Examiner!

We're also getting contractors lined up so that, when the permit is ready, so are we.  

One more hurdle to go...thanks for following along!

FNB: The Funding is Now Official!

Today I received an email from the Ohio Development Services Agency...they have approved the Release of Funds for our grant!  I also spoke to our banker and scheduled a tentative closing for the building loan.  So we are official!

Hopefully, we will begin work early in March.

Several comments from those who are following along with our effort have asked about old photos of the building.  We don't have many but this is one of the oldest known photos of Montpelier, probably from the 1890's.  There, on the left, is the First National Building...before it was actually the First National Building.  There is also very little history on this building...only some sketchy details that I have been able to piece together. The main portion of the building was probably built in the 1880's and added to around 1900, when the First National Bank purchased the building.  

The First National Building has been standing at the center of downtown Montpelier for at least 120 years and we are now beginning the journey to restore it to a usable and sustainable condition.  Perhaps the First National Building will continue to provide housing and office / retail space for another 120 years...