Brookes Building

History

The Brookes Building was constructed in 1898 ³ and housed Foutts Market on the first floor ² and the Carroll Council No. 509 of the Knights of Columbus on the top floor. ³ Rinehart Clothier opened in 1902 on the first floor, ² followed by the Bon-Ton in 1904 and later Robins & Sant. ³ The Ohio Valley Business College located on the 3rd floor after a fire destroyed their former location, the Reed Building, in February 1905. ^{2 4}

The East Liverpool Community Partnership for Revitalization (ELCPR) began pursuing a developer in 2013 for a residential project that would encompass the Brookes Building and several others along Market Street. ⁶ After several proposals were heard, the Miller-Valentine Group was selected as the lead developer. Initial plans included restoring the Brookes Building into apartments but it was not found to be economically feasible. ⁹ Miller-Valentine instead proposed Market Street Lofts which would consist of 45 below-market apartments ⁶ targeted to those earning 60% of the county’s average median income of $34,000. ¹¹ It would cost $10 million to build.

Miller-Valentine requested $2.2 million in federal housing tax credits and was awarded the full amount in June 2015. ⁶ A certificate of appropriateness was approved on November 2 by the Design Review Board, which granted approval for demolition of the buildings. ⁷ A certificate of appropriateness for the actual construction of the new lofts was granted on December 17. ⁸ On the same day, Miller-Valentine secured $1.5 million in a loan through the Housing Development Loan program via the Ohio Housing Finance Agency. ¹²

Demolition of the Brookes Building for Market Street Lofts began on July 12. ¹⁰

Market Street Lofts rendering. Source: Miller Valentine Group.

Market Street Lofts site plan. Source: Miller Valentine Group.

Gallery

1st Floor

2nd Floor

2nd Floor

2nd Floor

2nd Floor

2nd Floor

2nd Floor

2nd Floor

2nd Floor

3rd Floor

3rd Floor

3rd Floor

3rd Floor

3rd Floor

4th Floor

4th Floor

4th Floor

Vestibule between the Brooks Building and one adjacent.

Further Reading

Sources

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1. Bercik, Julie. “Demolition begins in East Liverpool for Market Street lofts.” WKBN-27 14 Sept. 2016: n.p. Web.
2. 15th Annual Tri-State Pottery Festival, June 17, 18, 19, 1982. East Liverpool, 1982. East Liverpool Historical Society, article. 5 Dec. 2016.
3. “Market Street Project.” East Liverpool Historical Society, article. 5 Dec. 2016.
4. “Market Street Project 2.” East Liverpool Historical Society, article. 5 Dec. 2016.
5. “Market Street Lofts project ready to get off the ground.” Morning Journal [East Liverpool] 21 Jun. 2016. Print.
6. “Housing credits granted to East Liverpool project.”Morning Journal [East Liverpool] 18 Jun. 2015. Print.
7. “Board wants changes to building designs.” Morning Journal [East Liverpool] 7 Nov. 2015. Print.
8. “Board approves changes to building’s facade.” Morning Journal [East Liverpool] 20 Dec. 2015. Print.
9. “Local company gets contract for demo work.” Morning Journal [East Liverpool] 21 Mar. 2016. Print.
10. “Razers.”Morning Journal [East Liverpool] 13 Jul. 2016. Print.
11. “Developer has lofty goals for Liverpool project.” Morning Journal [East Liverpool] 3 Feb. 2016. Print.
12. Moses, Molly. “OHFA Board Approves More Than $15.6 Million to Help Finance Affordable Housing for Ohioans.” Ohio Housing Finance Agency, 17 Dec. 2015, press release.

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