A Noteworthy Anniversary for Downtown Troy

One year ago today, a path forward was found for a downtown building and a shuttered street

It was exactly one year ago, a complex legal battle over the historic IOOF Building here in Troy reached a critical junction. A settlement agreement, filed in the Common Pleas Court, brought together the multiple parties and not only resolved several intertwined legal cases, but it became the critical flash point that lead to the opening of the 100 block of West Main Street.

It is on this anniversary that this retrospective is offered. This isn’t meant to rehash a story that bitterly divided the community and laid bare the conclusions that many of our city leaders were not the honest brokers we deserve and expect. Rather, many of our readers aren’t necessarily from our community, and this is a story that deserves to be told to a wider audience.

The agreement involved the City of Troy, 116 West Main, LLC, adjoining property owners Cheryl Cheadle and Evil Empire, LLC, Rob England (the Chief Building Official for Miami County and Troy), and the Troy Historic Preservation Alliance (THPA). At the heart of the dispute was the Tavern Building, a structure with portions dating back to 1841 and 1902, which had suffered significant damage from a tornado in January 2020.

Under the terms of the agreement, the THPA agreed to purchase the building from 116 West Main, LLC and this transfer of ownership marked a significant shift in the building's future, placing it in the hands of an organization dedicated to preserving Troy's historical heritage. The THPA took on the considerable responsibility of repairing and stabilizing both the 1841 and 1902 portions of the building. To ensure impartiality and expertise in overseeing the restoration work, the agreement appointed an independent third party to act as Chief Building Official, separate from the county's official, Rob England.

A critical aspect of the agreement was the "hard deadline" of April 30, 2024, for bringing the building into compliance. This deadline, set without allowance for extensions, put significant pressure on the THPA to complete all necessary repairs within a tight timeframe. The agreement also included a contingency plan: if the THPA failed to meet the deadline, they were obligated to demolish the building and clear the debris by May 30, 2024.

However, the street reopened about three weeks before the April 30, 2024 deadline. On a morning nearly nine months after the initial closure, city workers began preparing the 100 block of West Main Street for traffic. The Miami County Board of Commissioners announced late the previous night that the Building Department's Adjudication order had been lifted, allowing the street to reopen.

This early street reopening came as a sign of progress to some downtown businesses, whose economic vitality had been significantly impacted by the street closure. The City Administration acknowledged in a press release, "It's been a long 9 1/2 months and we are happy that the barricades are gone. Our residents, businesses and visitors have awaited this day for far too long, but now we can restore some normalcy in our community."

The early resolution of the street closure was attributed to several factors: the settlement agreement facilitated by Judge Stacy Wall, the determination of the Troy Historic Preservation Alliance, collaborative solutions from the Miami County Board of Commissioners and their departments, and the generosity of the community.

However, the closure and its resolution also highlighted tensions within the community. Critics argued that the street closure was never truly about public safety, pointing to decisions such as moving a popular farmers market closer to the supposedly unstable building. Some viewed the closure as an attempt by certain local government officials to control outcomes without community agreement or transparent discussion. Regardless, those city leaders that caused the street to be closed in the first place, never took any proactive steps for over nine months to help reopen one of the most critical streets in the city.

The reopening of West Main Street ahead of schedule demonstrated the power of collaboration over control. It showcased how civic engagement and community determination could overcome significant challenges, even in the face of perceived opposition from local government entities.

The past year saw the community come together in support of the THPA's efforts. Fundraising initiatives, volunteer work, and community awareness campaigns all played a part in the ongoing restoration process. The project became a focal point for discussions about historic preservation and community identity in Troy.

As Troy moves forward from this chapter, the community should continue to reflect on the lessons learned and the power of collective action. The IOOF Building saga serves as a testament to the importance of transparency, collaboration, and community involvement in addressing complex urban development and preservation issues. And let’s not forget, there is plenty of work to be done. Sensible reforms to the Planning Commission are way past due, and the City Council’s failure to address these issues is not helping our community in the least.

The resolution of this situation may serve as a model for other communities facing similar challenges, showcasing how community involvement, and a shared commitment to preserving local heritage can come together to overcome seemingly intractable odds.

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