Century Bar’s new home and Graphic Arts Building seek tax incentives

Joe Head, co-owner of Century Bar, inside the bar’s new home at 18-20 S. Jefferson St. AMELIA ROBINSON / STAFF

Joe Head, co-owner of Century Bar, inside the bar’s new home at 18-20 S. Jefferson St. AMELIA ROBINSON / STAFF

The Fire Blocks developer has applied for $651,000 in state historic tax credits to help rehab two buildings, including the planned future home of the Century Bar — Dayton’s oldest bar.

Three local projects earlier this year expressed interest in seeking the highly competitive tax incentives, but one project, for a downtown boutique hotel, did not submit an application by the deadline this month.

MORE: Proposed Dayton boutique hotel, Century Bar’s new digs seek tax incentives

The Windsor Group, the developer of the Fire Blocks District, has asked for two separate tax credit awards for the Graphic Arts Building and the Dayton Power and Light Building.

The group wants $200,000 to help rehab the vacant DP&L building at 18-20 Jefferson St. so the Century Bar can relocate from next door. The Century Bar, a nationally recognized bourbon bar, would occupy the ground floor, doubling its capacity. There are plans for a new cocktail lounge on the second floor, and the third floor is expected to be event and party space.

The developer also wants to turn the Graphic Arts Building at 221 S. Ludlow St. into new apartments and first-floor retail space.

Windsor is renovating multiple buildings on the 100 block of East Third Street into housing, offices and retail and restaurant space.

MORE: Sneak peek inside Century Bar’s future home

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