Renovated, Restored and Ready
FINDLAY, Ohio (Jan. XX, 2018) – The recently completed renovation of a 12,600-square-foot downtown building will house Blanchard Valley Industries and provide meeting space for the Hancock County Board of Developmental Disabilities, which funded the project.
The building, located at 322 West Main Cross, is the former home of The Rocking U pizza parlor. It has been renamed Center 322.
“This will truly be a community building,” said Kelli Grisham, superintendent of the Hancock County Board of Developmental Disabilities. “We have created meeting rooms and work space for our tenants. It also gives our agency access to badly needed meeting space.”
Blanchard Valley Industries is leasing space on the first floor for Kan Du art studio and a showroom, day habilitation space, and office space. Blanchard Valley Industries also will utilize office space and conference rooms on the second floor. The Hancock County Board of Developmental Disabilities will maintain three conference rooms that also are located on the second floor.
Blanchard Valley Industries is a non-profit employment provider that until Dec. 31, 2016, was a division of the Hancock County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
The building, which was built in 1902, was purchased in 2015 for $194,100 by the Hancock County Board of Developmental Disabilities. The two-year renovation converted the space into an art studio/showroom, kitchenette, restrooms, offices, day habilitation area, and conference rooms. There are 6,200 square feet on the first floor and 6,400 square feet on the second floor.
“The extent of renovation was enormous,” Grisham said. “We gutted the building down to the brick walls. We removed all the flooring, plaster and drywall on both floors. Basically, except for the walls, it’s a brand new building. Virtually everything is new – the roof, windows, wiring, plumbing, heating and air conditioning unit, and elevator.”
The Hancock County Board of Developmental Disabilities received grants for the project from The Community Foundation of Findley-Hancock County and the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, which earmarks funds for renovating Ohio cultural facilities, such as Center 233’s art studio.
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