ATHENS — A landmark that once defended the nation is now defending downtown’s future. The city of Athens has celebrated the reopening of the Athens Armory, a 111-year-old building reborn as a co-working space and community event venue.
The Armory served for decades as both a bulwark of national and state defense and a centerpiece of Athens’ civic life. When it closed, a former mayor purchased it to save the prominent historic building from the wrecking ball, and the city cared for it for nearly 30 years while dreaming of what it could become.
The rehabilitation created a co-working space that aligns with the Athens Remote Worker Strategy, along with an accessible community event space for private and public use. Through the redevelopment, the Armory now offers wrap-around services for community nonprofits and entrepreneurs.
“Renovating the iconic Athens Armory is both an economic and symbolic milestone, demonstrating our deep commitment to southeastern Ohio,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef, who joined Athens Mayor Steve Patterson and regional leaders at the opening.
The catalytic project was funded through a patchwork of sources: $2.5 million from the Appalachian Community Grant Program, $500,000 from the city’s ARPA fund, $900,000 from the city’s general revenue fund, $600,000 from the Ohio Capital Bill, $350,000 from the Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council, $640,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission, and a $976,815 JobsOhio Vibrant Community grant.
Now anchoring the Stimson Avenue Corridor, the revitalized landmark is meant to preserve the community’s past while drawing new investment downtown.
