Two Years Later: Remembering the Settlement That Reopened West Main Street
Vol. III, No. 204 - A Committment To Not Forget The Lessons We Learned As A Community
Two years ago today, on December 22, 2023, Troy turned a difficult page in its local story. After years of turmoil, lawsuits, and uncertainty surrounding the historic IOOF—also known as the Tavern—Building, a Stipulation and Settlement Agreement was filed. That agreement brought an end to a complex web of legal disputes involving the City of Troy, 116 West Main, LLC, neighboring property owners, and the Troy Historic Preservation Alliance (THPA).
It was more than a legal resolution. It was a moment of civic reckoning. The case had divided residents, drained energy, and darkened one of the city’s most visible streets. The building, which was one of the county’s original courthouses, had endured a tornado, neglect, and bureaucratic paralysis. For nearly four years, the west end of Main Street had been closed, the structure labeled an imminent hazard. Yet that winter day in 2023 represented a turning point. The parties agreed to set aside hostilities, with the THPA stepping forward to accept responsibility for both purchasing and stabilizing the property. They took on the demanding task of saving a landmark that others had declared a lost cause.
The terms of the settlement were steep: a strict deadline to bring the building into compliance, with demolition mandated if repairs were not completed under a tight time frame. THPA, a nonprofit run by volunteers, accepted that responsibility without hesitation. It was not for prestige or recognition but for principle—the belief that a city should not erase its own history so easily.
By spring of 2024, compliance was achieved, and the building was no longer deemed unstable. Barriers came down. Traffic began to flow once again down West Main Street, a literal and symbolic restoration of movement. For many residents who had grown accustomed to detours and barricades, it signified something larger: that a community’s persistence could accomplish what courtroom skirmishes could not.
The reopening of West Main was more than a matter of infrastructure. It was an act of healing. Hundreds of residents had contributed to THPA’s fundraising campaign, giving what they could to ensure the work continued. Their donations repaired bricks, restored the roof, and replaced windows—but just as importantly, they repaired trust. After years of frustration, the city rediscovered what happens when citizens take ownership of their civic destiny.
The events of this past year reminded us, however, that leadership remains a fragile thing. When Mayor Robin Oda chose to announce on social media—and later on local television—that seeing the IOOF building on the market was “unbelivable” it reopened wounds many hoped had healed. Rather than clarifying facts or celebrating the progress achieved, the mayor’s remarks cast unnecessary doubt and sowed confusion. For a community still remembering how hard it had worked to rebuild trust, the spectacle was dispiriting.
Yet this anniversary should not be overshadowed by misplaced narratives. The facts remain unshakable: the settlement worked, the building still stands, and the street is open. The partnership captianed by the THPA with countless citizens in tow, succeeded in closing one of Troy’s most contentious civic sagas. What began as a fight over ownership and obligation became, in the end, a lesson in collective responsibility.
Two years later, we remember not only the legal agreement itself but also the moral one. The IOOF building is more than brick and plaster—it is testimony to the resilience of civic spirit. It proves that progress in small cities like ours rarely comes from edicts or elections alone. It comes from ordinary people who care enough to do the work, to give their time and resources, and to believe that even the most damaged structures—physical or institutional—are worth rebuilding. It’s a beautiful lesson to be reminded of this holiday season.
The IOOF settlement closed a dark chapter in Troy’s history but opened a brighter one in its civic life. That is worth celebrating and remembering.
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