FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 7, 2008
Contact:
Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission: Jessica Fagan – 614.995.7552; jfagan@culture.ohio.gov
Flesh Public Library: James Oda – 937.773.6753; odaja@oplin.org
Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission Approves $200,000 for Fort Piqua Hotel Project
Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission approved $200,000 at its quarterly meeting today for a project at the Fort Piqua Hotel.
The Fort Piqua Hotel was constructed in 1891 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Located in downtown Piqua, the architecturally rich building has hosted historic figures including three former U.S. Presidents. The hotel’s current $19-million renovation project will create retail and restaurant space, a banquet hall for various private and community events, and the Flesh Public Library will relocate into three stories of the historic building. In addition to providing free informational and educational resources to the community, the Flesh Public Library also preserves, collects and exhibits historical artifacts pertaining to Piqua and Miami County. In its new location at the Fort Piqua Hotel, the library will utilize state funds to create permanent display space for rotating exhibitions on local history. The project will create 40 display cases, interpretive signs and an art exhibition area for interpreting local history through art and artifacts. The museum will be free and open to the public.
The Commission approval, coupled with the signing of legal agreements, allows the Flesh Public Library to be reimbursed on a pro rata basis with funds appropriated in Am. Sub. H.B. 675 of the 124th General Assembly. Miami County General Assembly members who voted in favor of the bill include Senator Keith Faber, Representative Diana Fessler, former Senator Jim Jordan, and former Representative Rhine McLin.
The Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission is a state agency that helps enhance the quality of life for Ohioans by improving the state’s cultural facilities. Since 1988, the Commission has disbursed nearly $400 million of capital funds appropriated by the legislature and Governor for facility improvement projects at non-profit theaters, museums, historical sites and publicly owned professional sports venues.
The Commission partners with non-profit groups and local governments on nearly 250 projects in 65 of Ohio’s 88 counties. For more information on the Commission, visit www.culture.ohio.gov.
