DAYTON — An architect’s drawing for the proposed redevelopment of the 215,000-square-foot former Delco building at 329 E. First St. calls for adding a floor to the six-story building that includes penthouse views of Fifth Third Field.

Jeff Samuelson, of JZ Companies in Kettering, is still looking for investors for the estimated $25 million project of redeveloping the former downtown offices once occupied by inventor Charles Kettering.

Earl Reeder, the architect on the project, created a design that calls for an open floor plan with a majority of building’s exterior featuring long glass panels to allow for views of the ball field and RiverScape.

The Mendelson family has owned the 103-year-old building for many years and has tried several times to redevelop it, along with their liquidation warehouse across the street, without success.

Samuelson, who worked on the redevelopment on Brown Street area near the University of Dayton, will not say how much funding he has secured for the project. He said months ago he would likely know by early 2011 if the project would get off the ground and that he would seek tax credits.

He did not return calls for comment on Monday.

“It’s going to take a lot of investors willing to help,” Sandy Mendelson said. “Can it work? I sure hope so. It’s going to take a lot of work, and we are committed to Dayton. It’s going to be something people are going to be proud of.”

The project was born when Dayton Mayor Gary Leitzell introduced Samuelson to Mendelson last summer and the two struck up a conversation about the project. Samuelson is part of Leitzell’s Economic Development Task Force.

If completed, the project could help ease the city’s burden of filling some of the 850,000 square feet of vacant office space downtown.

Samuelson said in August his vision for the building is a vibrant, environmentally friendly building with retail on the ground floor, free parking in the basement for some residents and a short walk to local attractions.

The city has helped Samuelson apply for $115,000 in Clean Ohio funds to study the building and determine if there are any environmental or structural issues. A decision has not yet been made by the state.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2494 or lsullivan@DaytonDailyNews.com.