City seeks historic-preservation and cemetery grants to repair 1881 receiving vault

Tallmadge — City staff requested and council approved at first reading applications for two grants to support repairs to the 1881 receiving vault at Tallmadge Cemetery.

Assistant Director of Public Service Hannah Hussing described extensive exterior and interior masonry damage to the historic receiving vault and asked council to adopt two ordinances at first reading so staff could apply for funding. One application is to the Ohio Department of Commerce cemetery grant program, which the administration said is a 100 percent grant up to $2,500 if awarded. The second application is to the Ohio History Connection history fund, a matching program the administration described as a "60/40 matching grant" and said the city would apply for up to $20,000 from that program.

Hussing said the vault interior and ceiling are in "desperate need" of restoration, including tuckpointing, brick repair, and foundation stabilization. The city also displayed photographs during the meeting showing interior deterioration and root damage to monuments in other parts of the cemetery.

Why it matters: The receiving vault is an 1881 historic structure within the Tallmadge Cemetery; staff said restoration is necessary to preserve the building and to prevent further damage to graves and monuments.

What comes next: Council approved the two grant applications at first reading to meet application deadlines. If either or both grants are awarded, administration will return with appropriation ordinances and project bids for the restoration work.