The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
United Way to move downtown?
Council ponders sale of 642 Broadway
United Way of Greater Lorain County could move to downtown Lorain, according to plans outlined in Lorain City Council legislation.
Council on Oct. 3 will consider a purchase agreement to sell 642 Broadway to United Way.
The sale would “bring revenue and a viable business to the Downtown Urban Renewal Area” and promote the continued improvement of the downtown area for the public health, welfare and safety of Lorain, according to the legislation.
United Way would pay $125,000 for the building. The purchase agreement is undated and it does not yet have a sale closing date.
“We’re really excited about the property,” said Bill Harper, executive director of United Way.
The space will need some renovation inside, but it is not as old as some of the structures on Broadway, Harper said.
The organization would move its 10 staff members from the current offices at 1875 N. Ridge Road
in Lorain.
“We’ve really outgrown our space here,” Harper said.
The organization rents its current space, and landlord Billy Rowland has been helpful to United Way, Harper said.
However, United Way also would save money owning space, based on the price of property in Lorain County and long-term costs, he said.
United Way also wants to contribute to the revitalization of downtown, Harper said.
“It’s really exciting because I think there are some good things happening in downtown Lorain,” he said. “Why not be on the ground floor of those great changes?”
The news about the potential sale was rumored, but Jim Long, president of the Lorain Growth Corp., said he did not know the legislation was ready for Council consideration.
“It’s good to have somebody that might be permanent and would maintain the building,” Long said.
For its fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, United Way of Greater Lorain County had more than $3.01 million in pledges and net assets of more than $4.09 million for the end of the year, according to its annual report.
In the last year, United Way has launched several collaborations with various community groups to help charitable organizations and improve quality of life in the county.
In September, more than 900 students, with 39 teachers and more than 70 volunteers, turned out for the United Way United We Sweat Field Day at Midview schools. United We Sweat is a community effort to promote healthy choices and exercise.
On Broadway, 642 in the last few years, became casually known as the “Fish Tank,” a gallery and work space for organizers of the Follow the Fish Art and Adventure Trail. That public art and commerce project evolved to become the FireFish Festival, an art and street fair that started in 2015 and had its second annual event in September.
“We are delighted at the continued activation of space and interest in space on Broadway Avenue,” said Joan Perch, who helped organize the Follow the Fish and FireFish projects.
United Way has supported the public art initiatives in recent years and committed to the arts and community revitalization of Lorain, Perch said.
“We look forward to being able to partner with them in great ways,” she said.
The building for years was the Tivoli Theater Inc., founded by Peter J. Tender in 1918. His family owned the building for years, according to historic news reports available from the Lorain Historical Society.
From 1920 to 1930, the theater was known as the Pantheon before its name change. The building first went vacant in 1977 and was declared a nuisance by the city Board of Unsafe Buildings in 1984.
The theater sign was removed, but its marquee remains atop the entrance.
Lorain City Council meets at 6 p.m., Oct. 3, at City Hall, 200 W. Erie Ave.
It’s really exciting because I think there are some good things happening in downtown Lorain. Why not be on the ground floor of those great changes?”
— Bill Harper, executive director of United Way