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Excitement continues to build over a project to revitalize Marietta's Glass Press building. Work has been under way for a couple of years now, but earlier this week, we learned local and state support is coming together to set the $10 million redevelopment plan in motion.
“The Glass Press buildings helped build Marietta once. Now they’ll help build its future and bring new energy to downtown,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. “A project of this size wouldn’t have been possible without strong collaboration alongside OhioSE, SEOPA (the Southeastern Ohio Port Authority), the City of Marietta, and the local developer to preserve a piece of the city’s history and create new office space, housing, dining and gathering spaces for the community.”
Ataraxia Properties manager Seth Murphy said the plan for the mixed-use space is to "breathe new life into these historic buildings while creating something truly special for downtown Marietta and the surrounding community."
That plan would not have come together without support from state historic tax credits, a Vibrant Community Grant from JobsOhio, and local officials who stayed focused.
“Redeveloping the Glass Press buildings represents the kind of bold, forward-looking investment our community deserves,” said Jesse Roush, former president and CEO of the Southeastern Ohio Port Authority. “This project will preserve an irreplaceable piece of Marietta’s history while creating new housing, dining, and gathering spaces in the heart of downtown. We are proud to help transform a long-vacant landmark into a vibrant destination that will strengthen downtown Marietta for generations to come.”
To be clear, should plans go awry, this would not be the first proposed mixed-use property or JobsOhio-supported project that was going to become an economic hub for an entire community and then stalled to the point of silence. Excitement must be tempered then with a determination by all stakeholders not to let up until the job is done.
Ataraxia and its collaborators must celebrate the potential and teamwork for only a moment; and get back to work.
Marietta is very much looking forward to it.