Park National Bank to demolish century-old John J. Carroll Building in downtown Newark

Kent Mallett, Newark Advocate
Construction equipment visible Sunday at the back of the John J. Carroll Building at 60 N. Third St. in downtown Newark.
Construction equipment visible Sunday at the back of the John J. Carroll Building at 60 N. Third St. in downtown Newark.

NEWARK − The century-old John J. Carroll Building, home to popular department stores in downtown Newark for 75 years and owned by Park National Bank since 1995, will be demolished.

The three-story brick building, 60 N. Third St., next to the Park National Bank headquarters, has been used for bank storage but deteriorated through the years and would be costly to rehabilitate.

The John J. Carroll Department Store occupied the building after its construction in 1920 until 1982, when Uhlman’s Department Store acquired Carroll. PNB purchased the building when Uhlman’s closed.

David Trautman, Park National chairman and CEO, said the plan is to convert the land into greenspace following the demolition work, expected to take several weeks.

“It is bittersweet to lose a beautiful structure that has been part of the downtown landscape for many years,” Trautman said. “We are firm in our commitment to investing in the spaces and places we call home.”

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Park National partnered with developers to evaluate the possibilities of rehabbing the property, but a recent inspection determined the property was unsafe and needed repairs would be extensive.

Renovation for climate-controlled storage would cost $9 million to $10 million, while converting to mixed-use apartments, office or retail would be significantly more, Park National stated in a news release.

“Downtown Newark is thriving,” Trautman said. “We see the transformation that is taking place, and we are committed to doing our part as a good neighbor and partner. As a member of the downtown community for more than 100 years, we consider it a privilege to help build a strong future for all residents while remembering and respecting our past.”

The alley next to the John J. Carroll Building in downtown Newark will be closed for several weeks during the demolition of the building.
The alley next to the John J. Carroll Building in downtown Newark will be closed for several weeks during the demolition of the building.

Michelle Hamilton, the Park National Bank head of marketing, responded to an Advocate question about selling the building.

“We believe retaining the property allows more flexibility for future growth and enhancements,” Hamilton said. “Park has grown significantly over many decades and continues to grow, bringing jobs and investment to Newark. In the meantime, adding greenspace demonstrates our commitment to a beautiful downtown.”

The sidewalk in front of the Carroll Building and the Park National Bank office will close to pedestrians during the project. Parking in lots north of the building and east in the alley will also be affected. The bank’s drive-thru will be closed for a small portion of the project, but the bank will remain open, with entrance from Church Street.

Watson General Contracting, based in Newark, will be in charge of the demolition work.

The drive-thru at Park National Bank in downtown Newark remains open, but will close temporarily at some point during the demolition of the adjacent John J. Carroll Building.
The drive-thru at Park National Bank in downtown Newark remains open, but will close temporarily at some point during the demolition of the adjacent John J. Carroll Building.

kmallett@newarkadvocate.com

740-973-4539

Twitter: @kmallett1958

John J. Carroll timeline

  • May 2024: Demolition of John J. Carroll building begins.

  • February 2009: Downspout on roof freezes and bursts inside onto the third floor, flooding every floor. Only spotted when water pours out the front door. Cleanup includes removal of hardwood floors and takes several weeks.

  • January 2001: Explosive level of gases found inside building. It was carbon monoxide and other combustible gases caused by a failure in the furnace and venting systems.

  • Nov. 24, 1995: Park National acquires building.

  • 1995: Uhlman’s Department Store closes.

  • February 1982: Fred W. Uhlman and Company acquires Carroll Department Store.

  • 1961: John J. Carroll Department Store celebrates 75 years in business in Newark.

  • Jan. 31, 1931: John J. Carroll dies.

  • 1920: John J. Carroll Department Store moves into new building on North Third Street.

  • 1919: John J. Carroll Department Store moves to the Hull building.

  • Spring 1917: John J. Carroll Department Store moves from original location on South Park Place to the Donovan Block.

  • 1898: John J. Carroll purchases other interests in the store and changes name to John J. Carroll’s.

  • October 1886: Carroll’s Department Store established under the name of Carroll and Company.

  • 1860: John J. Carroll born in Chillicothe.

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Park National to demolish John J. Carroll Building in downtown Newark

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