ASHLAND — Matt Wurster has introduced his newest downtown project.
Ashland Mayor Matt Miller announced Tuesday that Wurster would like to construct a 2,600-square-foot retail building at 32 E. 3rd St., with plans to include 1,200 square feet of rooftop seating.
The property was purchased in December 2024 by 3rd Street Ashland, LLC for $100,000, according to Ashland County Auditor records.
City lawmakers on Tuesday evening unanimously approved a Community Reinvestment Area tax incentive application for 3rd Street Ashland, LLC. This includes a 10-year, 50-percent abatement on the real estate taxes for the property.
“This is in line with what we have provided to others who have moved forward on revitalization projects downtown,” Miller said.
According to the legislation, the project has a total investment of approximately $895,000.
For those unfamiliar with Wurster, they mayor highlighted that he is the individual responsible for renovating the building now known as The South Street Grille on South Street, along with providing the city the land which is now Foundation Plaza along Main Street.
“He is also the gentleman who cleaned up the old Napa Auto Parts store that was condemned on Main Street and instead installed, in a nearby location, Ohio Fire Pizza,” Miller said.
“He continues to make some very important investments in our downtown.”
Wurster’s investments have helped shape downtown Ashland
While in conversation with someone recently, the mayor said he made a comment reflective of Wurster’s impact on downtown Ashland.
“Do you realize how different our story would be if it had not been for Matt Wurster’s decision to invest significant money in cleaning up those buildings and not even cleaning up those buildings, but then finding someone new to occupy them,” Miller said.
Wurster estimated to the city that the site may create about 13 to 14 new jobs, the mayor said.
Further details into Wurster’s development plans were not ready to be shared Tuesday, but the mayor said he anticipates excitement as more details are made public. Wurster was not in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting.
The mayor said construction is estimated to begin in October and finish around the first quarter of 2027.
“Matt has done a lot for this city. It’s (tax incentive) the least we can do,” said Councilman Dennis Miller.
