100-year-old local buildings getting fixed soon

STRUTHERS, Ohio (WKBN) – Buildings over 100 years old in downtown Struthers are getting some improvements.

A line of buildings on State Street in downtown Struthers has been a passion project for Struthers native Kevin Walsh. They needed some fixing up, but he was determined to get that completed. He said they’re going to become affordable commercial rentals and he has had the idea for a while but had some unexpected delays.

The buildings are over 100 years old and were too outdated for modern building and zoning laws. Walsh needed to bring them up-to-date while he was trying to maintain their original look, something he said was a trying project, and it was often just a waiting game.

“We have to meet all the current building codes and zoning laws we have to do all these things as far as egress and fire department and access and fire escape, and those things just didn’t exist,” Walsh said.

Buildings 6, 8 and 10 on State Street got the contract to remove and replace the roof, which is necessary to move forward with any other type of work for the buildings.

Additionally, the contract to repair all the failing masonry was awarded. Walsh says the buildings will all still be brick but may need a different color.

Although Walsh says the project was trying, he said this update is one of the most exciting announcements of the year. He said he has already received a lot of interest, and businesses are set to move in once the work is complete. He said that 6, 8, 10 and 14 State Street will have a total of six separate units for businesses.

Once the exterior work is done, more renovations and replacements can begin.

“They’re local businesses, local folks, which is exciting to give them a chance to grow and grow their businesses, and I can tell you there’s going to be a breakfast joint, a coffee shop and some event space,” said Walsh.

He’s hoping the exterior work will be completed sometime in August.

Walsh says as long as everything stays on track, the first couple of tenants could move in by October.

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