Mayor Don Walters is proud to announce that the City of Cuyahoga Falls and TRIAD Communications received a Preservation Merit Award from the State Historic Preservation Office of the Ohio History Connection for the rehabilitation of the Falls Stamping and Welding Building, at 1701 South Front Street. The city and TRIAD were recognized along with Chambers, Murphy & Burge Restoration Architects, David Pelligra Architects, and Skoda Construction, at an awards ceremony in Columbus on October 29, 2016.
“This project highlights the importance of strong private and public partnerships for Economic Development initiatives,” stated Mayor Don Walters. “TRIAD has helped catapult historic preservation and renovation in the heart of our downtown which positively impacts the continued redevelopment and historic preservation of Front Street with the help of historic tax credits.”
“I’ve correctly been labeled an ‘accidental preservationist”,” said TRIAD President Rick Krochka. “I was only looking for a cool creative space for my employees. Renovating this historic building has rewarded us with a vibrant environment for my employees and restored a historically-significant building for the residents of Cuyahoga Falls.”
Located along the Cuyahoga River, the building was constructed in 1928 to house Falls Stamping and Welding and Lange Portable Electric Welding. Historically, the location had been used for machining and auto part warehousing. The restored structure, rebranded as The Foundry, is home to advertising company TRIAD Communications. The Foundry is the city’s first locally designated historic structure and state tax credit project in the City of Cuyahoga Falls.
The space was designed by Krochka and local architect David Pelligra and was renovated by Skoda Construction. The City of Cuyahoga Falls helped TRIAD obtain historic tax credits by creating a historic design review board, designating the site as a historical landmark, and becoming a Certified Local Government. Assistance in applying for tax credits and restoration guidance was provided by Lauren Burge of Chambers, Murphy & Burge Restoration Architects. The rehabilitation and structural overhaul were completed, and the space was opened in early 2016.
The State Historic Preservation Office of the Ohio History Connection Preservation Merit Award is for preserving Ohio's prehistory, history, architecture, or culture. Eligible activities include, but are not limited to, restoring, rehabilitating, or otherwise preserving an important building or site, longtime stewardship of a property, promoting protective legislation, funding preservation projects, offering leadership, support, or service, and furthering preservation at the local, regional, or state level.
TRIAD Communications specializes in advertising and visual communications for web, print, and broadcast.