H2 Property Management - Part 2
One great couple, two loved communities, and lots and lots of development.
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A City Coming Back
Yesterday you read about
the vision of Meghan & Rick Hogref
e
and their team at H2 Property Holdings LLC and the work they’re doing to “build a buzz” about the opportunities provided to live and work in the Sandusky area. H2 took a more active role in building businesses in the nearby Village of Bay View, but their idea for Sandusky City is a little different.
As Meghan & Rick visited family in the Sandusky area over the last couple of years, they noticed a “city that’s coming back”. More and more, it seemed like Sandusky was not a place to leave. It was a place to come and a place to stay, and the Hogrefe’s wanted to do what they could to ensure other people noticed too.
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H2 Intervention
With the revival of Sandusky’s Downtown core--last year’s email series noted 32 new businesses had opened in the neighborhood over two years-- spaces that were ready to occupy businesses were in increasingly short supply. Meghan & Rick have been hard at work correcting this shortage over the past year with massive downtown restorations at the “Schmidt Building” and “Marketplace at Cooke”.
The Schmidt Building
– A $3M investment brought this approximately 19,000 sqft building back to life with historic luxury apartments. The building features 8 residential units and 2 street level commercial spaces. Residents can enjoy the beauty of living on the lake with balconies in all units and a roof-top deck with panoramic views. Renovations have recently been completed, applications are being accepted now for this property.
The Marketplace at Cooke or the “Huntley Building”
– Located in the heart of downtown, with multiple street entrances, the H2 team thought it time to bring “malls” back to downtown. After a $7.5M transformation, the property is nearly ready to open as an indoor retail space with a mix of local shops, food and entertainment. Locals will love the common spaces, as the Hogrefe’s have constructed a history walk through the City of Sandusky with art and artifacts of Sandusky through the ages. Additionally, they are bringing a Children’s Museum to the Lower Level of the Marketplace.
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A Hand Up
However, as entrepreneurs themselves, Meghan & Rick know a great location is just one part of building a successful business. That’s why they’ve created the “
Emerging Sandusky Business Grant Initiative
” and partnered with us here at ECEDC, the City of Sandusky, Lake Erie Shores and Islands, Sandusky Register, and the Erie County Chamber to roll it out to aspiring local entrepreneurs. Selected businesses will receive a grant from H2 that will pay a portion of their rent expenses and tenant improvements, allowing their business the financial room to grow to their full potential. ECEDC & other grant partners will also be supporting applicants in preparing to launch their business and then promoting the new business in various media outlets.
Applications for the next round of the Emerging Sandusky Business Grant Initiative are due January 15th, 2019. We can’t wait to see new ideas, new businesses and a brighter Sandusky in the new year.
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Downtowns are powerful symbols for a City with vital businesses, landmarks, history and culture. But development trends and outward migration in the mid-late nineties took a toll on Downtown's across America including Sandusky's. Thankfully, over the last decade the pendulum has been swinging back, and the renaissance of our city centers is here. With the help of developers like Meghan & Rick, downtowns are a tool to attract entrepreneurial creativity, neighborhood activism and young talent. Be sure to contact us to learn more about available spaces for your next great idea!
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The 12 Days of Development email series recognizes and celebrates another year of progress in Erie County, Ohio. Throughout the month of December, you will receive email spotlights on a company investing, improving and innovating in our community. We can't capture it all, so let us know a neighbor we missed or what activities you've got planned to make the 2019 list!
#ErieCounty12Days
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