Those behind the non-profit Troy Community Works’ renovation of the dilapidated former Salvation Army building on East Main Street want to do more than bring new life to the 1860s structure.

They’re also hoping the effort will spark additional investment in the Main Street area east of the Public Square.

Although structurally sound, the building at 221 E. Main St. had sat empty and needed lots of work when purchased a couple of years ago for $18,000.

The private community development organization partnered with private donors, the city and Ohio Finance Fund to put together a package of around $300,000 to tackle the project.

“This has been a real partnership with a lot of different people. That’s the way these things happen, you put together a good team,” said Don Willis, Troy Community Works’ past president.

Since September, the building has been given a new roof, new windows, exterior repairs and painting and the first floor space has been renovated. The next phase will mirror the first including fundraising for second floor renovations into office space and possibly an apartment.

Tenants now are being sought for first floor commercial space that will be finished to meet tenant needs, Willis said. In addition to facing East Main Street, the building has parking behind it, which is rather rare in the downtown, he said.

The organization hired Tony Blundell of Medallion Investments, who has renovated other downtown buildings, to handle the project. “You can get into a lot of issues in old buildings. It takes a certain approach, mindset,” Willis said.

Jim Dando, Troy’s city development director, said the project has not gone unnoticed. “That part of downtown Troy has not seen as much recent reinvestment as West Main Street or Market Street. City Council is trying to encourage more attention to the area,” Dando said.

The rehabilitation is a key part of downtown building improvements, said Karin Manovich, executive director of the Troy Main Street downtown organization.

“It has been inspiring to watch the transformation of the building, and we look forward to its return to active use,” she said.

Troy Community Works couldn’t be happier with the results, and the decision to save the building.

“You want this building in this location. I lived in Europe a couple of years. It is not unusual to go into a restaurant that is in a 400 year old building,” Willis said. “That, to me, is the way you preserve history. You don’t mummify it. You live in it, use it and make it a part of your continuing community.”

For more building information, contact jordan.romberger@ocrd.com. For more on Troy Community Works visit www.troycommunity.com.