NELSONVILLE, Ohio — A development group with a growing presence in the region now has its eyes set on restoring a historic structure and establishing new businesses in Nelsonville.
The Black Diamond Development Co. LLC announced Tuesday that its “newest project” would be restoring the Fraternal Order of the Eagles No. 309 building at 61 W. Washington St. in Nelsonville.
According to a press release, Black Diamond Development Co. LLC is an “Ohio-based historic focused development company composed of investors with southern Ohio roots and business interests.” The company specifically seeks to acquire historic structures and create “jobs via tourism.” It does not own a structure less than 100 years old, according to the release.
The company states that the Eagles building dates back to 1890. In its press release, the company credited the building’s previous owner, Nelsonville resident and former Nelsonville City Council member Dan Sherman, with preserving the structure and providing a vision for its future uses.
According to the Athens County Auditor’s website, the property is appraised at $177,560 and remains in Sherman’s name. He bought the property in 2018 from the Fraternal Order of Eagles #319.
State records show that the Ohio Department of Development awarded the building a $420,000 tax credit in December 2023 — about 10% of the estimated $4.2 million cost to rehabilitate the structure for a boutique hotel, diner and retail spaces. It was one of only two projects in southeast Ohio to receive tax credits in the latest round of awards from the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program, which can offer credits of up to 25%, with a project cost cap of $5 million.
Black Diamond’s press release states that the building will consist of a dozen-room hotel on the second floor; a community co-working space; a hotel lobby wine bar and wood-fired pizza restaurant on the first floor; and a speakeasy to be called Mischief.
In 2021, NBC4i reported that Sherman was “pouring millions of dollars into re-developing a town center eyesore.” In the article, Sherman stated that the building was condemned, and that “the project is ‘almost completely funded’ now.” He planned for a hotel and dinner — Hotel Sherman and Mischief Diner.
Jazzma Quinn, spokesperson for the Black Diamond Companies, said in the press release, “We are very excited to expand our historic development efforts to Nelsonville. City leadership has been welcoming and supportive.”
The press release hinted at further expansion in Nelsonville.
Black Diamond Development declined to comment on this story. Sherman could not be reached for comment in time for publication.
Correction: A previous version of this story erroneously stated the previous owner of the Eagles building. The Athens County Land Bank has never owned 61 W. Washington St., Nelsonville, as previously incorrectly stated. The article has been updated with the correct information and we apologize for this factual error.
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