ATHENS — The 111-year-old Athens Armory has officially reopened after a major rehabilitation, marking the end of a decades-long effort to save one of the city’s most prominent historic buildings.
The celebration brought together JobsOhio representatives, Athens Mayor Steve Patterson, regional leaders and community partners. “The 111-year-old Athens Armory was both a bulwark supporting our national and state defense, as well as a centerpiece of Athens’ civic life for decades,” officials said at the event. “Upon its closure, a wise previous mayor purchased it to save this prominent historic building from the wrecking ball. For nearly 30 years the city cared for it and dreamed of what it could be.”
Now, that dream is reality. The rehabilitated Armory offers 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 building now provides wrap-around services for community nonprofits and entrepreneurs looking for a downtown home.
The project was funded through a broad coalition of state, local and regional sources: a $2.5 million Appalachian Community Grant, $500,000 from the City of Athens’ 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.
“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. “Through hard work and collaboration with local and regional partners, this revitalized landmark will anchor the Stimson Avenue Corridor, preserving the community’s past while bringing a modern workspace to attract new investment downtown.”
City leaders say the Armory will once again serve the community’s civic and economic interests while celebrating the commitments of veterans from the area — a new chapter for a building that has stood watch over Athens for more than a century.
