Both two-story buildings are vacant, but one needs to be demolished as soon as possible, said Jason Woodard, principal of Woodard Development.
Woodard Development purchased the buildings earlier this month. Both have been unused for many years, and it looks as though they may have been most recently used as storage.
The property that will be torn down is about 2,500 square feet, while the one that will be reused is about 7,000 square feet.
Woodard said he does not have any immediate plans for the properties, but it’s possible that after the building is demolished it could become an activated patio-type space.
Dayton’s chief building official and director of building services, Scott Adams, inspected 337 E. Fifth St. and found issues that suggest the property is in danger of failing or collapsing, says a letter from Tony Kroeger, Dayton’s planning division manager, to Oregon District residents, businesses and stakeholders.
The conditions of the building compel the city to approve the demolition of the property, Kroeger said.
Demolition in historic districts is an option of last resort, but this project will replace an unsafe structure with an attractive and active courtyard, the letter states.
Woodard says he expects to apply for demolition permit sometime soon.
Woodard already owns multiple properties in the Oregon District. He recently purchased buildings on the 500 and 600 blocks of East Fifth Street, which are home to popular shops like Press Coffee Bar, Clash and Corner Kitchen.
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