Heading to Howe House
Refurbished building also to become visitor center, community meeting spot
By Bob Downing
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Saturday, Nov 07, 2009
The Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition will move into its new downtown Akron digs next week.
Dan Rice, president and chief executive of the grass-roots group, said the four staffers probably will move Tuesday or Wednesday into the refurbished Howe House at West Exchange and Water streets next to the canal.
The historic building is probably ''80 to 85 percent complete'' after getting a $2.2 million face-lift, Rice said.
The results ''far exceed my expectations,'' he said, '' . . . and I'm utterly amazed at the building's complete transformation.''
The work on the 21/2-story building that dates to 1836 was handled by Fairlawn-based Welty Building Co. Ltd.
The firm ''just did a tremendous job,'' Rice said.
There are a lot of little things that must be completed: installing telephones and finishing the landscaping, he said.
The city paid $800,000 to move the 400-ton building from the southwest corner of East Exchange and South High streets on June 30, 2008.
That allowed construction of a $25 million student housing and commercial development along South Main Street between Cedar and Exchange streets.
Richard Howe, the resident engineer on the old canal, built the house.
The city provided $886,000 for the renovations and remodeling. Rice's group raised an additional $1.4 million.
About $97,000 must still be raised, Rice said.
The building will house Rice's group and become a visitor center and community meeting spot.
Ownership of the building has been transferred from the city to Rice's group, which intends to hold open houses, probably in December, for financial boosters and the general public, he said.
Bob Downing can be reached at 330-996-3745 or bdowning@thebeaconjournal.com.
