On Tuesday afternoon, June 10, the City of Tiffin Architectural Board of Review denied an application by the Seneca County Commissioners to demolish the Seneca County Courthouse, and imposed a 90-day mandatory waiting period.  During that time, Commissioners are required by law to meet with the Board to explore preservation-friendly demolition alternatives.  During the hearing, the City Law Director advised the Board that the County was subject to the local ordinance.

In addition to two city residents, the President of the Tiffin Historic Trust spoke against the demolition application, and introduced five experts for testimony -- Joyce Barrett, Executive Director of Heritage Ohio; Thomas Palmer, Executive Director of Preservation Ohio; Franklin Conaway, Preservation Consultant; Franco Ruffini, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, and Robert Loversidge, Principal of Schooley-Caldwell Architects.  Testimony centered on the damage that would be caused to the entire downtown through decreased economic development should the application be granted and the courthouse demolished.

Interestingly, this past Thursday Schooley-Caldwell was awarded the contract for developing a preservation master plan for the Colorado State Capitol building in Denver -- a building designed by Elijah Myers, architect of the courthouse in Tiffin (Myers also designed the Texas and Michigan Capitol buildings).

The Seneca County Courthouse leads the 2008 List of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites.  As always, MyHometownOhio will cover this very important story as it continues to unfold.