It all started when… the Business Development Corporation purchased the buildings known as The McGavren Block. This purchase intended to save these inhabitable historic structures - as community conversations commenced, planting the seed to Van Wert Forward.

Known as The McGavren Block, this multi-store front, two-story brick building has extraordinary window surrounds of carved stone for the attic windows and a series of 18 terra cotta lion heads just below the roofline. It was built in 1903 and is 3,030 SF of commercial space on the ground floor. Previous businesses range from bars and restaurants to a pool hall. This building is under construction as part of Van Wert Forward and will boast upper floor apartments and first-floor commercial space.

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The Van Wert County Foundation launched collective efforts along with other community partners to expedite the restoration and preservation of core building assets in downtown Van Wert. Community collaborators are Main Street Van Wert, Van Wert Area Economic Development Corporation, Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce, Business Development Corporation, City of Van Wert, and Van Wert County.

VAN WERT FORWARD, is vision-driven by The Van Wert County Foundation. Van Wert Forward transforms quality of place by planning, developing, and sustaining our downtown built environment.

This investment is an effort to focus more in-depth on the core of The Foundation’s vision to create a well-resourced and thriving quality of life for our community. They are committed to a bright future and collaborate enthusiastically to make this vision a reality. Together, these collaborators bring experience and a commitment to downtown revitalization.

The project will spur vibrant revitalization downtown while creating community capital for generations to come. It capitalizes on the concept of IMPACT INVESTING, which re-prioritizes financial resources to generate a measurable beneficial social impact while providing a financial return. Critical downtown building assets are placed into a “downtown trust” through the course of the development process.

The Foundation has engaged the professional services of Pago USA and The Model Group, experienced developers with vast expertise in historic preservation. Organization members have led and developed projects like “The Landing” in Fort Wayne, IN, and “Over the Rhine” in Cincinnati, OH.