EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio (WKBN) – For years now, there’s been talk of renovating the J.C. Thompson Building in downtown East Liverpool. Right now, the talk is turning into action with work set to begin on the historic building.
The J.C. Thompson Building has seen better days. For years, the building sat vacant — dilapidated and decaying — almost as a painful reminder of a past that was filled with prosperity.
But now, a brighter future is right around the corner.
“It’s an icon building for East Liverpool. For us to be able to bring it back means as much to me, as well as the community,” said Scott Shepherd, an architect with A&L Studio.
Last year, the city received more than $400,000 in historic tax credits to help restore the building. In October, Governor Mike DeWine pledged another $600,000 to the project.
“The challenge is just to bring the building back to the way it was. We received state historic tax credits for the building. Like, the window frames that we’re building now, they have to match the existing ones. We can’t just go buy new windows and pop them in. We have to match what’s there,” Shepherd said.
The first floor of the building will be used for retail, while the Buckeye Online School for Success will take up residence on the second floor and loft-style apartments occupying the third floor.
“It’s going to change this entire diamond for the better because it’s been such an eyesore for so long,” Shepherd said.
The first steps toward restoring the building include replacing windows and shoring up the structure from any further damage from the elements.
“This building has been open for way too many years. Windows need to go back in, we need to get it dried out so we can start to build,” Shepherd said.
It’s a delicate process that’s already uncovered some hidden character of the building that’s been hidden for decades.
“We found two iron columns that had been covered up for 60 years. We found a doorway that’s been covered up for 50 years. Those little victories, they’re really sweet,” Shepherd said.
Architects will also construct an elevator and new stairwell on the exterior of the building.
“It’s going to mean so much for downtown. We’re already seeing activity around the building, as far as others starting to invest because the building’s being done,” Shepherd said.
If all goes well, they’re projecting work to be complete by spring of next year.
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