XENIA — The City of Xenia is in line to receive funds from the Greene County Community Investment Grant (CIG) Program.
According to an agreement between the city and county, Xenia will receive a one-time payment of $200,000 as a match toward the JobsOhio Vibrant Community Grant for the renovation of the Eavey Building for the COhatch office, event, and community space project.
The purpose of the CIG is to provide financial assistance to jurisdictions for the development of sites and infrastructure designed to attract and sustain businesses.
“The grant program opened in January 2021,” City of Xenia Development Director Steve Brodsky said. “It is available to all jurisdictions in Greene County, with the county allocating a total of $750,000. The city, county, and owner of the Eavey building have been working together for a number of years on the redevelopment, and agreed that this would be a good use of the new county program.”
The city will not have to provide additional funds for the JobsOhio Vibrant Community Grant Program as match dollars are not required.
“With the JO Vibrant Community Grant, this was a project that would be ready to happen this year,” Brodsky said. “It was an excellent use of the county dollars, and provided needed match for the state grant.”
In order for the city to receive funds, there are conditions.
“It is contingent upon receiving the award from JobsOhio,” Brodsky said. “Once that grant is received, we will be able to access the funds immediately. The grant program is set up to allow communities to apply once per year, assuming they have encumbered the prior year’s grant dollars.”
Brodsky said the Eavey building needs to be completely renovated. There will be tenant space for retail, offices, and food components. All entities would be taking advantage of the site adjacent to the bike path and just up from Xenia Station.
Brodsky said the Eavey building is nearly 90,000 square feet and it is necessary to complete the renovation project in phases before occupancy can take place.
“The city is working with the building owners who have had discussions with several potential tenants,” Brodsky said. ‘The exact mix of uses is still to be determined. We are fairly certain of office and retail space, with the potential for living space still in the mix.”
The City of Xenia is not in charge of the project, however.
“The owner/development partner has had numerous conversations with various stakeholders and solicited public opinion on potential uses,” Brodsky said. “There has not been a formal public input process since this is privately-owned and led.”
