COhatch Partners with City of Kettering to Revitalize Historic D.L. Barnes Building
COhatch, in collaboration with the City of Kettering, Schiewetz Foundation, and Kettering City Schools, is restoring the historic D.L. Barnes Building at 3750 Far Hills Ave., which was once slated for demolition. The $16.5 million project will transform the 1929 landmark into a mixed-use community workspace featuring coworking spaces, administrative offices for the school district, and future amenities like an auditorium. This marks COhatch's 38th building restoration effort and is being funded through private investment, philanthropy, and public funding without increasing city taxes or using school district funds. The revitalized facility will serve as a hub for entrepreneurs, startups, non-profits, and community events while preserving Kettering’s historical identity. The project aims to provide long-term financial benefits by reducing the school district's annual costs compared to its current leased office space. It also supports education, workforce development, and local economic growth through multiple redevelopment phases.
Topics: historic preservation public-private partnership urban redevelopment