Local and state officials stand in front of the Thompson Building, which is set to be part of a $2.1 million rehab project in downtown East Liverpool. From left to right, Greg Bricker, East Liverpool mayor; Peter Zahrisky, Team NEO; Alyson Moritz, Jobs Ohio; Scott Shepherd, John Mercer, Tom Clark, Tom Beagle, all members of East Liverpool Community Improvement Corporation; Ohio Senator Mike Rulli, R-33; and Bill Cowan, city planning director and ELCIC executive director. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

EAST LIVERPOOL — As he prepares to exit his office in 2024, Mayor Greg Bricker wanted to leave on a high note.

Since day one, Bricker was focused on the city’s decaying infrastructure and dwindling tax base. Whether it was knocking down dilapidated structures or finding them new lives, the goal always has been job creation to boost the city’s tax collections.

In the case of the Thompson Building, which stands across the street from Bricker’s personal business office, it was the perfect example of how his mission could increase curb appeal.

Including the recent demolition of the Paul Arrow building next door between the Thompson and the newly-opened Chef Ray’s Diamond Bar and Grille, Craig Cozza is one of the stakeholders in the Thompson project who also kicked in $300,000 toward its completion.

A real estate developer who owns several properties within the city’s downtown area, Cozza owns Cadence Vault, a restaurant and bar opened in the former Potters Bank blocks away, and owns the old furniture store next to Wise Buys. Cozza also owns a chain of Pro Bike + Run shops in the Pittsburgh area and will occupy the first-floor retail space, according to Bricker.

East Liverpool City Hospital and True North, which is an accounting and consulting firm based in Chester, look to occupy the upper floors, which will be made up of office space and apartments after they evict the pigeons who currently are squatting up there.

In addition to $422,000 in federal and $414,000 in state tax credits, the balance of the project is made up with $600,000 from JobsOhio, $186,000 from the city’s Community Improvement Corporation and another $10,000 from the Columbiana County Land Bank. They are still waiting for word on a $217,000 grant from the Transformational Mixed-Use Development (TMUD) to make up the shortfall.

According to Bricker, who didn’t seek re-election, designating a mixed use for the building is how they get the grants, because that is what the grant providers want to see.

He estimated that the businesses have signed letters of intent to occupy the building once work, which they hope to begin by summer 2024, will be completed. More than 100 jobs are expected to be created as a result of the project.

Bricker also received word last week that the city of East Liverpool had been conditionally awarded $375,000 for its Riverfront Trail project.

“The addition of new multi-use trail infrastructure has always been a top priority of the Clean Ohio Trails Fund and your project will further that goal,” wrote Mary Mertz, director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

The swearing-in for Bricker’s successor, Bob Smith, and all the newly elected or re-elected council members was held Thursday afternoon.

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Reporter Kristi Garabrandt also contributed to this story.