You may have seen new activity around an old house at the north end of High Street. Kevin Coleman spoke to the new owner.
The yellow-painted brick building best known as the Kern Tavern has been sitting empty for about 20 years. It's been off-and-on for sale, but at a price that encouraged commercial redevelopment.
But after a condemnation notice appeared a few weeks ago, it came back on the market...and that's when Joe Sharp seized the opportunity.
He says he has always wanted it. He recently sold many rental properties, and so had the funds to approach the realtor. He signed the papers May 18th.
Sharp is having the overgrown yard cleared as he is waiting to work on the building. He says he hopes to have it livable by early fall - and is open to better ideas on what to do with the building.
Probably built in 1838, the inn that would have served travelers on the Franklinton Pike and Ohio & Erie Canal now joins redevelopments like Wissler Hall at Paint and Water, several buildings on West Water at Walnut, and all the activity at North Paint and Second.
Kevin Coleman covers local government and culture for iHeart Media Southern Ohio. For stories or questions, contact the iHeart Southern Ohio Newsroom or Kevin Coleman