Revitalize Downtown Stayton has received a $200,000 state grant which it will use to help restore the exterior of the Hobson-Gehlen building.
The grant was one of 28 awards ranging from $23,000 to $200,000 issued by Oregon Heritage, a division of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. A total of $5 million in funds was distributed.
The Hobson-Gehlen building, on North Second Avenue at Florence Street, has been vacant for more than 10 years. The circa 1885 Italianate structure, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is one of the oldest wooden commercial buildings in Marion County.
The money will be used to pay for “critical structural and exterior upgrades” to the building, said Julia Bochsler, vice-president of Revitalize Downtown Stayton in a news release issued May 25. Included will be frames for structural support, restoration of windows and siding, repair of roof trusses and the installation of a new roof.
“This is a significant historic building and RDS is pleased to be able to assist in saving it for the community to enjoy,” said Aaron Frichtl, president of the group. “Thriving, attractive downtowns are vital to creating unique places where people want to live, work, visit and play. With (this) grant, the Stayton community is taking an important step toward strengthening the core of our historic district and driving economic growth in the community.”
The grant requires an investment by the owners of the property, with building owners Jesus Cortes and Lori Maravilla planning to continue to work on the interior of the building once the grant work is completed. Cortes and Maravilla are hoping to create commercial space in the front half of the building and a three-bedroom apartment in the rear.
Much of the work, said Bochsler, will be contracted through Stayton Wood Windows, meaning funds will be reinvested into the community via payroll and materials costs.
Four Stayton buildings are on the National Register. The other three are the Deidrich building at Third and Florence, the Beauchamp building at Third and High and the Brown House at First and High.
The Hobson-Gehlen building, which was originally used as a general store, sits on a 0.21-acre lot in Block 1 of the original 1872 plat of Stayton.
