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Northfield Center trustees approved a one-year agreement to explore an Old Town Hall ground lease—stressing the historic property is not for sale and that any future lease would be reviewed publicly.
NORTHFIELD CENTER, Ohio – Northfield Center Township trustees have authorized a one-year agreement with Cresco Real Estate to explore the possibility of an Old Town Hall ground lease—an early step township officials say is aimed at evaluating potential leasing options, not selling the property.
In a post published Jan. 6 on the township website, officials emphasized that “there is no interest in selling the Town Hall property,” calling the building an important township asset that will remain under township ownership. The resolution, according to the township, is intended to open the door to discussion and analysis about how the building could be leased, improved, and kept active while preserving its long-term value.
Old Town Hall Ground Lease: What Was Approved—and What Wasn’t
The township described the action as authorization to enter into a one-year agreement with Cresco Real Estate to gauge market interest and explore feasible paths for leasing the old Town Hall building on Brandywine Road.
Just as important, the township noted what the resolution does not do:
- It does not finalize a lease.
- It does not approve a specific development or project.
- It does not change the township’s intent to retain ownership of the property.
Instead, township officials framed the agreement as a way to access professional real estate expertise to evaluate potential tenants and realistic improvement plans—before any longer-term decisions are made.
Why Trustees Say Leasing Is on the Table
According to the township’s announcement, the old Town Hall is a well-known part of the community’s identity, but—like many older public buildings—requires ongoing updates and maintenance.
The township listed several goals for exploring leasing options:
- Identifying “responsible, compatible uses” for the building
- Supporting necessary repairs, modernization, and updates
- Reducing financial strain on township taxpayers
- Keeping the building active and maintained, rather than sitting idle
For residents across the Nordonia Hills area watching how communities manage aging civic spaces, the message from Northfield Center is that leasing may be a tool to preserve a historic structure while shifting some costs away from taxpayers—if a suitable tenant and plan can be found.
What Happens Next
The township said any future lease arrangement would be reviewed to ensure it aligns with:
- Community values
- Zoning requirements
- The township’s long-term interests
Officials also said they intend to keep residents informed as the process continues and that community input will remain part of evaluating whether leasing is the right step and how improvements could best serve the public.
Residents or organizations interested in leasing were directed to contact Cresco Real Estate via email, as provided in the township post.
