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NEWTON FALLS -- The Newton Falls historic district of several small businesses is under consideration for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places.
Residents Tom Colosimo and Julie Stimpert, a Falls councilwoman, submitted an application to the Ohio History Connection about the historic district.
Colosimo said he received a letter recently from Abby Marshall, national register manager with the state historic preservation office, indicating a site visit and survey by their staff would be the next step in the process.
Colosimo said the area includes the 14 businesses from the Chase Bank building west to the Masonic lodge on the south side of West Broad Street, between Canal Street and Center Street.
He said he originally applied only for his building, Fieldview Acres Mercantile, but because it is connected to other buildings, it was denied. He then applied for the entire historic district and all the businesses.
"The city applied for this 38 years ago, but it was never completed. The tornado was in 1985 and the effort was stopped. I found the original application the city was working on in 1984 and used that as a guide and made it more current. They did the original legwork and I updated the application and filled out a questionnaire," he said, indicating all the owners of included businesses in the district support the effort.
"We are super excited about this. We can help protect and promote our historic downtown area," Stimpert said.
Colosimo said the site visit is expected shortly for an assessment of the buildings.
"We are ecstatic to be considered. To get a brass plaque which indicates the building is on the National Register of Historic Places would be amazing," he said.
"People from all over travel to different places that are listed on the national registry, such as the community center and the covered bridge -- and why not also our downtown area.
Stimpert said getting the designation also protects the integrity of the buildings.
HISTORIC BUILDINGS
Colosimo said the buildings are more than 100 to 150 years old, and two were constructed in the 1800s. Stimpert said this area of the village showcases much of the history of Newton Falls.
"This (national register) designation would help protect this history for hundreds of years ahead," Stimpert said.
Colosimo said the designation also would benefit the property value of the buildings, being in an historic district.
Marshall in a May 19 letter to Colosimo and Stimpert wrote, "Based upon a review of the information provided, the property appears to qualify for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places."
She said the site visit is necessary to fully assess the proposed district and to confirm the boundaries. Marshall said once the site visit is complete, the Ohio History Connection office will send a follow up letter to summarize the findings and provide information on the next step.
Stimpert said she and Colosimo have received positive responses from residents and village officials.
"It is a huge accomplishment," Stimpert said. "Tom gets all the kudos for all the time he has put in to do this.
"He reached out for support and told us what he was doing and moved forward with this. I give him huge applause for what he has done."