By Paula Pyzik Scott

Preservation Ohio, a nonprofit also known as Ohio Preservation Alliance, Inc., has named a building that was part of Ada’s nineteenth century Northwestern Ohio Normal School as one of 14 “significant and endangered” historic buildings in Ohio for 2024. 

In its announcement, Preservation Ohio notes, “A consultant recently recommended that Hill be demolished because of a stated restoration cost of $9 million. Some [Ohio Northern University] faculty members, current students, alumni and local residents believe this to be an overestimate to discourage dissent to demolition.”

A context that the statement does not provide is the financial environment currently stressing all universities: a significant population decline in the number of traditional college age Americans. In recent months, Ohio Northern has undertaken program viability studies and announced staffing and program cuts.

CONTINUES