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Mantua Downtown Revitalization
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Our Mission
Downtown Mantua Revitalization Corporation works with the Village of Mantua to lessen the burdens of government by engaging the citizens, civic organizations, business community and property owners to develop and implement a plan to reverse blight and improve accessibility of the historic Village to promote the health and well being of the community.
DMRC Objectives
- Make the Mantua area a welcoming destination
- Encourage residents and visitors to enjoy the Mantua area, including:
- The Headwaters Hike & Bike Trail
- Cuyahoga River
- Shops
- Eateries
- Parks
- Service Providers
- Historic Architecture
- Rural Character
- Plan, secure financing, and facilitate capital improvements in the downtown Mantua commercial corridor.
Available Now!
Past & Present Photo Slideshow on DVD
Over 100 photos of downtown properties as they were in the early 1900s, 1960s-1970s, and in 2007; (seen at 2007 Mantua Potato Festival)
Past & Present DVD Bonus Pictures
Downtown Mantua Revitalization logo-wear
White T with small logo on left chest and large logo on back; 50% cotton/50% polyester
DVD & T-shirt Order Form
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2010 is off to a great start for the DMRC. Review the 2009 Annual Report for a summary of last year’s accomplishments and mark your calendar for these special events:
- July 10 10am-7pm Mantua’s Art on the Hill
- July 10 6pm start Texas Hold ’em Tournament
- October 9 3pm-8pm Walking Through Mantua’s Past
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Research
- Field Trips to Kent, Ravenna, East Liverpool, Lisbon
We met with Ravenna Mayor Kevin Poland. Kevin was City Council President during the Ravenna renovation project. They worked with EG&G…Kevin was pleased with their performance.
- Streetscape Consultant Interviews
Jim Rogers summarized events that led to the 10/12 meeting, including the 9/20 chamber of commerce meeting at which John Grossman spoke to community members about his firm’s services. As a follow-up to that meeting, several people particularly passionate about revitalizing the area were invited to hear more about the process – and become a steering committee. Jim stressed that E.G.&G. is just one resource available to help guide revitalization efforts.
Presentations & Community Input
In The News
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Of Interest
www.preservationnation.org
The National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy, and resources to protect irreplaceable historic places and revitalize communities.
www.ohiohistory.org/resource/histpres/programs/bd/bd-01.html
The Ohio Historical Society’s Building Doctors teach old-building owners how to recognize and solve some of the most common sources of problems in maintaining older buildings, and how to make informed decisions about repairs and improvements.
www.ohiohistory.org/resource/histpres/yourtown/tax/
State and Federal tax incentives encourage rehabilitation of historic buildings. The Ohio Historic Preservation Office reviews applications for both programs to determine whether work complies with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation.
www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/index.htm
Technical Preservation Services helps home owners, preservation professionals, organizations, and government agencies preserve, protect, and rehabilitate historic buildings by providing readily available materials such as guidance pamphlets, books, and videos on topics from historic masonry and window repairs to lead paint abatement to accessibility for people with disabilities.
www.preservationdirectory.com
PreservationDirectory.com is an online resource for historic preservation, building restoration and cultural resource management
www.historichousecolors.com/projects.html
Examples of homes repainted within several historic time periods illustrate what can be accomplished when historical colors and period paint placement theory are combined.
www.clevelandplus.com
Northeast Ohio is a powerful, dynamic region with more to offer than most people imagine. Cleveland+ is 16 counties, the metro areas of Cleveland, Akron, Canton and Youngstown, more than four million people and 6,000+ square miles with an array of thriving cities and communities full of vitality, must-see destinations, world-class attractions and exciting business opportunities.
www.the350project.net/home.html
Support the program that asks consumers to frequent three local brick and mortar businesses they don’t want to see disappear, and spend a very affordable $50 per month doing it – The 3/50 Project.
www.smartgrowth.org
SmartGrowth addresses the growing concern that current development patterns - dominated by what some call "sprawl" - are not in the long-term interest of our cities, existing suburbs, small towns, rural communities, or wilderness areas.
www.pps.org/info/placemakingtools/casesforplaces/
Information about creating Community Places
www.lgc.org/freepub/community_design/index.html
Free Community Design Resources and Publications
www.cudc.kent.edu/shrink/landlab.html
Kent State University’s Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative’s Vacant Land Re-Use Pattern Book provides inspiration, guidance and resources for community groups and individuals who want to create productive benefit from vacant land.
www.freshforkmarket.com
Fresh Fork Market is a virtual farmer's market that helps to connect local farmers with local consumers.
www.livable.com/about/index.htm
Partners for Livable Communities is a non-profit leadership organization working to improve the livability of communities by promoting quality of life, economic development, and social equity through technical assistance, leadership training, workshops, charettes, research and publications.
www.portageparkdistrict.org/headwaters.htm
Headwaters Trail, part of The Portage Park District, runs by beautiful forest and farmland connecting Mantua and Garrettsville. |
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“Art on the Hill” Enjoyed by All!
The DMRC (Downtown Mantua Revitalization Corporation) hosted “Get-A-Way to Mantua”, a day-long celebration of art, food and entertainment Saturday, July 11th from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Early Saturday morning, the day kicked off with the Headwaters Adventure Race co-sponsored by the Portage Park District and Advanced Rehabilitation & Health Specialists. Over 100 athletes came to hike, bike and canoe in hopes of winning this early morning triathlon. Crowds lined the river waiting for the winner to cross the finish line. Winning the race was Josh Franek of Mantua, followed close behind and placing second was his father Tom Franek. Watch for additional results and photos in the next issue.
The main event of the day, “Mantua’s Art on the Hill” brought over 50 artisans and about a dozen food vendors to the downtown area. Numerous Mantua artisans as well as those from Hudson, Northfield, Pinkerington, Cleveland, Ashtabula and other communities lined each side of Prospect Street displaying and selling their handmade art. Those in attendance viewed and shopped from the various types of art including precious metal and clay sculptures, handmade jewelry, Native American crafts, gourd art, woodcarvings, decorative concrete, lampworks, glass bead pieces, pottery, oils, acrylics, photography, quilts, ceramics, airbrushing, pencil drawings, wall textiles, stone masonry, pen and ink drawings and more.
Local artisans enjoyed the opportunity to showcase their art in Mantua and business owners reported seeing new customers shopping their stores throughout the day. Footprints - A Prefect Blend of Old & New, located on Main Street stated record sales on Saturday. Planning events that encourage residents as well as members of adjoining communities to come check out Mantua is one of the many goals of the DMRC.
Food vendors served a variety of foods ranging from hamburgers & hotdogs, fresh-cut fries, funnel cakes, cannolis and lemon shake-ups.
Hand-led pony rides by Common Ground Farm & Kennel provided entertainment for the children. The children also enjoyed free face painting compliments of Tommie Jo Marsilio.
The historical buildings which were the feature of “Walking Through Mantua’s Past” held last fall were open again for viewing. Nick and Linda Ehlert were dressed in period attire and offered tours showcasing the stories of the buildings and their past proprietors.
After a rain delay, the Lenape Indians began their Powwow. Shortly after 1:30, the “Circle Dance” began with community members invited to join in their opening ceremonies. Throughout the afternoon crowds watched as they drummed, sang, played flutes and told stories. Many members of the tribe brought their handmade items to display and sell. Also of interest at the Powwow were elk burgers, buffalo chili and other Indian foods.
The Chinese Auction held in the old Mantua Grain Building on Prospect Street boasted over 100 items donated by local merchants. A variety of items including live plants, gift certificates, gift baskets, and artwork donated by each of the vendors at the event were raffled off at the end of the day. The DMRC has recently received a quilt handmade and donated by Ellie Monroe (Quilts for Causes) to raffle. Tickets sales began at the opening of the Chinese Auction and will go through September 13th. The winning ticket will be drawn at the end of the Potato Festival.
The DMRC which formed three years ago operates with the mission of: empowering the people, government, organizations, business and property owners to develop and implement a consensus-based plan to enhance the appearance of downtown Mantua. This plan’s intent is to bring shoppers, pedestrian traffic, and residents downtown to enjoy Mantua’s historic district, featuring eateries, professional offices, niche shops, and downtown living spaces, which support the river and planned growth to preserve the community’s rural character. The organization has planned various events since it began including the well attended “Walking Through Mantua’s Past” last fall as well as “Get-A-Way to Mantua”.
The DMRC would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the event sponsors, along with all who have donated their time and resources to make the event successful!
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“Thank You” to all who made this event possible! |
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VOLUNTEERS
Harry Buchert
Bill Newell
Jason Pitsinger
Ellie Stamm
Ron Landreth
Edie Benner
Pat & Jim Oster
JoJean Jodlowski
Norma Meyer
Dana Vanderink
Mantua Service Dept.
Nick & Linda Ehlert |
SPONSORS
Bonner Ohio Properties
Jim & Pat Oster
Harner Plumbing
The Community Journal |
RESOURCE DONORS
Michelle & Kevin Barnauskas
Jeff Benner
Donna Hawkins
Jim Mocny
Sandy Englehart
Eric Hummel
The Jascos
Footprints
The VanAuken Family
Gary Janson, Jr. |
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FRIENDS OF THE ARTS
Marie Stehli, CPA
Mantua Station Drug
Green Funeral Home
Marshall’s Carpet Cleaning
Wolf & Pflaum CPAs
Barky Mart
Grand Promotional Products
Chase Bank |
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EVENT ORGANIZERS
Laura Landreth
Becky Newell
Dean Olson
Christine Pitsinger |
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