The news from Champaign County these days is pretty close to miraculous.

Two years ago, the future of the Douglas Inn on Monument Square appeared less than bleak. The building sat vacant, and the property’s owners, the local Community Improvement Corporation, had filed a request with the City of Urbana Design Review Board to demolish the Douglas and replace it with a modern replica. In the succeeding months, the property engendered strong public debate, served as a key focus of a successful mayoral recall election, and ultimately was the subject of litigation involving both public and private interests.

Based on the historic integrity of the Douglas and the significance of this landmark property to the revitalization of the entire district, Downtown Urbana was placed on the 2005 List of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites – the first time an entire downtown area had been so listed.

In December, media from Ohio to Washington, D.C. – including the National Trust’s Preservation Online -- reported on the dismissal of pending litigation and the announcement of renovation plans. Yesterday, the Urbana Daily Citizen reported that the Douglas will finally transfer from the CIC to Miami Scioto Holdings, Inc. this coming Monday.

It’s an extraordinary story of the tenacity of individuals with both vision and determination. Preservation Ohio salutes our friends in Urbana, and looks forward to the day when the Douglas reopens its doors. Kudos!

Photo: Monument Square, Urbana; Douglas Inn on right