Richland County approves $100,000 toward Oak Hill Terrace restoration

The Richland County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 14 approved a $100,000 contribution to the Oak Hill Terrace restoration project, filling the historical society’s stated remaining funding gap for the first phase of work.

The project, led by the Richland County Historical Society, will convert a partially demolished two‑story industrial building at Oak Hill into an open tiled terrace and public plaza with electrical hookups for lighting and audio‑visual equipment, speakers told the commissioners. The board was asked to cover the approximately $100,000 shortfall in a roughly $500,000 project budget.

Blair McClenathan of the Richland County Historical Society described the site and the project’s goals. He said the society has removed the second story of the building to create an open terrace, will use existing support beams for posts or sunshades, and plans a tiled plaza suitable for outdoor theater, picnics and other community events. “The end goal is to make a space that anybody can come and use,” McClenathan said.

Commissioner Tony Vero said the county typically acts as the “last money in” and noted the society had already secured major contributions. According to materials provided at the meeting, existing commitments include $125,000 from the Mill Iron Foundation, $125,000 from another county foundation, $25,000 in anonymous donations and $125,000 from the historical society itself — leaving about $100,000 to reach the stated $500,000 total.

Andrew Keller, county administrator, told the board that county legal guidance found the expense permissible under the Ohio Revised Code because the work is for preservation and restoration of a recognized historic site. Keller summarized that the expenditure is acceptable for the commissioners as a preservation project.

Discussion at the meeting covered parking and access, ownership and operating responsibilities, and a basic timeline. McClenathan said the society owns the restored building and would be responsible for utilities for that structure; county taxpayers own the cottage and the carriage house, and the county pays utilities for those properties. The meeting record indicates the historical society will be responsible for removing an eastern portion of Spring Mill Street if the city’s planned street vacate is approved by city council; that removal would be a future cost to the society.

Commissioners and guests raised questions about long‑term sustainability and maintenance. McClenathan said the society is pursuing community funding and will rely on partnerships, rentals and donations to cover ongoing costs. He said phase work includes a tile system over an existing asphalt/membrane roof and that construction began about 26 months ago; organizers estimated portions of the site might be usable for events before a full opening, with a fuller timetable possibly extending into 2026.

Votes at a glance A motion to approve a $100,000 county contribution to the Oak Hill Terrace project was made and seconded and was approved by voice vote. The transcript does not record a formal roll‑call tally; multiple commissioners indicated assent during the vote. A separate motion to certify the record of proceedings for Jan. 9, 2025, was moved, seconded and approved. A motion to authorize an internal job posting for a child support case manager was moved, seconded and approved; the transcript records Commissioner Rivera and Commissioner Meares saying “Yes.”

Why it matters: Commissioners and historical preservation groups said the Oak Hill Terrace project is intended to expand public programming in the city’s north end, create a safer, accessible public space adjacent to Oak Hill cottage and Friendly House, and support arts and small community events that the historical society and local partners would organize. The county’s contribution completes the project’s stated funding plan for the initial construction phase.

Next steps: Project leaders said they will proceed with phased construction and continue fundraising and outreach for maintenance and parking solutions; a city council vote is required to vacate part of Spring Mill Street, which could change scope and costs for the society.