Construction has begun on Willoughby Union High School restoration project (2024)

Willoughby officials and developers of the Willoughby Union High School restoration project recently hosted a ceremonial construction kick off.

Located in Wes Point Park in downtown Willoughby, the project is a complete renovation of the historic Union High building into 40 market rate apartments, as well as the construction of 19 for-sale townhomes flanking the building.

“This building has stood for over 100 years proudly in Wes Point Park and once again will become a focal point of our community,” said Willoughby Economic Development Director Tom Thielman.

Willoughby Mayor Robert Fiala said this project is an eight-year dream finally coming true for the city.

“The start of construction means that just within two years, you’re going to see folks start moving in here and enjoying an important, historic building as residents right on our central park,” he said. “We are delighted it’s happening. We think it’s important to save these old, historic buildings and we applaud Liberty Development for taking this step.”

Although it was for a different use, the ThenDesign Architecture firm building project still complements the Union High project, Fiala said.

“That project won a design award already for historic preservation,” he said. “It couldn’t be renovated into apartments or dwelling units because of its shape, but it made a great office space for the design firm. We saved our historic Junior High School.”

Saving these historic buildings is a great testament to how all involved view important structures and what they mean to the community, Fiala said, noting that the desire to live in downtown Willoughby is generational.

“A lot of the younger folks want to be in a walkable community,” he said. “If they work at home, they want to walk downtown at night and have a drink or something to eat. If they work away from home, they want to come home, go in the house and never touch a car again for the rest of the evening.”

Walkability has also held importance for area senior citizens who have expressed they don’t want to drive around any longer, Fiala said.

“We’re seeing that some of the senior citizens are saying, ‘I want to stay in one place where I could get dinner, go shopping, enjoy some music and I don’t have to get in the car to do it,’ ” he said.

According to James Loveman, a principal of Amerimar Realty Company out of Philadelphia, the deal for the project was closed on May 29 when it was purchased from the city.

“We not only closed the acquisition, but it was done in partnership with Kish Bank, our construction and mortgage lender,” he said. “We were awarded $2 million in state tax credits from Ohio. Those are being invested in by Foss Investments out of North Carolina and we’re also utilizing federal rehabilitation tax credits, but we’re keeping those within members of the ownership partnership.”

The ownership is a combination of principals from Amerimar Realty in Philadelphia, as well as Justin Gantz and Matt Sutter of SoL Harris/Day Architecture out of the Akron Canton area.

“We started working together about 10 years ago when we bought a portion of the Firestone factory campus in Akron,” Loveman said. “SoL Harris/Day were our architects on it and it was our first historic rehab project we did together. This project — SoL Harris/Day is still the architect, but now they’re principal partners as well.”

BlueMark Capital out of Cleveland also had hands in the project, arranging the mortgage financing on it. Additionally, Perspectus Architecture out of Cleveland were the project’s historic rehabilitation consultants.

Gantz, a partner with SoL Harris/Day, expressed they are happy to carry the torch for Willoughby and make the Union High project a reality.

“We’re here for the city,” he said. “This was spearheaded by them. We love this community. My wife and kids are here, and we’re going to go downtown and eat dinner after this. To revitalize this building, make it as great as it once was before and tie it back into the community — we’re thrilled to be able to do that.”

The 40 market rate apartments will include mostly one bed and one bath units, but also a couple of studios and a two bed, and two bath unit.

“We’ve got a good response,” Gantz said. “Every council meeting we’ve presented at or community engagement meeting we’ve held, we’re getting a variety of interest in the building. I think it’s going to serve the needs here.”

Gantz is anticipating a summer of 2025 delivery.

“We’re finishing asbestos abatement this week, we’ve already done some roofing work and demolition, so we’re full steam ahead and anticipate people living here a year from now,” he said. “Liberty Development is a big part of this. They’re doing the townhome project adjacent to our site and we’ve worked hand in hand with Dru Siley, and his team to put this whole thing together.”

The Union High project is an opportunity to give people an urban experience, but a walkable experience, Loveman said.

“Not everyone wants to live in Cleveland, so this is a great chance to build on what’s already a great thing in Willoughby and bring high quality rental units to town,” he said. “Coming from Philadelphia, it struck me when I would fly into Cleveland and my Uber driver would say, ‘Willoughby — that place is so cool.’ “