ASHLAND — A developer who plans to bring life to the Pump House District could start moving dirt as soon as July.
Ashland Urban LLC and the city entered into a legal agreement Tuesday that kicks off the project that has been in the works for years.
Council unanimously agreed to enter into a development agreement with Ashland Urban LLC and a cooperative agreement with Blanchard Valley Port Authority.
Essentially, the development agreement means Ashland Urban LLC — the same developers behind the George Road housing project — will build nine buildings totaling 192 units, a clubhouse and a park.
The agreement with BVPA essentially means the city is allowing Ashland Urban LLC to use the quasi-governmental entity to help finance the $22 million project.
Port authorities, under state law, are independent political subdivisions created by local governments (municipalities, townships, or counties) to foster transportation, economic development, and other public purposes.
The BVPA, based in Findlay, provides various financing products — tax exemptions, loans and tax increment financing, according to its website.
Ashland Mayor Matt Miller said the developer has utilized BVPA in the past.
The development agreement
A first for Ashland, the development agreement clarifies responsibilities between the developer, the city and the Ashland Area Economic Development Corporation.
To start, the project envelops 19 parcels in downtown Ashland between Orange and Union streets and East Third Street and the railroads.
Also, the original closing date of March 7 is now Aug. 1, under the agreement.
Ashland, under the agreement, is responsible for removing an Ashland Railway spur. The work, Miller said, has been completed. The spur used to service old Myers factories. Ashland received a grant totaling $804,735 for that work in January 2024.
The city will also pay $360,194 for “public alleyway improvements,” which include trees and things like electric light posts, Miller said. The mayor said this would also include costs associated with constructing a gateway from the district to Foundation Plaza.
Ashland received a $150,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources in December 2023.
The development agreement also states that Ashland Urban LLC will ask for reimbursement up to $409,449 for the installation of vapor barriers and air quality tests. But the developer also has up to $115,301 in contingency costs it can ask for reimbursement, potentially driving that cost up to $524,750.
That money, the agreement states, will come from the reserves of a brownfield remediation grant the Ashland Area Economic Development Corporation received in November.
The clubhouse
Plans involve a clubhouse that residents of the apartments can use. The mayor said he doesn’t know what will be inside the clubhouse, but that it could be a gathering space for residents to host events.
“It could also include a workout facility or gym. And they talked about a pool, but I’m not sure if it’s part of their final plan,” he said.
The park
The project also includes a public park, which in the past has been referred to as the Urban Meadow. The park will be built by the developer, under the existing agreement.
When finished, the park will be dedicated to the city for $1.
The mayor said the park will be known officially as “Freedom Park” and that officials hope to dedicate it during America’s 250th birthday celebration in 2026.
“It looks like the ball is now moving,” Miller said, regarding the project that began in earnest in 2022.
The mayor said the developer has mentioned being able to move dirt as soon as July 8 or 9.
Council approved a new purchase agreement for the vacant Pump House office building, which will be located across the street from the planned apartments, during a meeting in May.
The $21.5 million project’s commencement depends on Ashland Urban LLC’s start date and approvals. Now that all the approvals have been signed, Miller said, the project could start soon.
Plans involve renovating the Pump House office building that has sat vacant for years and racked up hundreds of thousands of dollars in maintenance and repairs under the county’s ownership. It includes an addition totaling 68,078 square-feet, and 94 “suite-style” rooms.