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Masonic Temple might have a buyer
By Kalea Hall
YOUNGSTOWN
The future of the Masonic Temple, other than its closure, is still unknown.
But one Akron-based developer is reviewing the property for possible purchase.
“Right now we are really evaluating the opportunity and what we could do with the building at this time,” said Gary O’Nesti, director of special projects for LRC Realty.
LRC Realty has an option to purchase the building, which means there’s been a purchase price determined.
The process of evaluating the property should be complete by next month.
News of the Masonic Temple’s closing came as no surprise to the freemasonry groups that meet there when it was first reported earlier this week.
The board of directors at the temple, at 223 Wick Ave., saw a decrease in funding because of a loss of members in the different groups that meet there.
The seventh-floor temple is expensive to run, according to the leadership there.
The temple will close by June 30.
The building has been in operation for 106 years and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in June 1997.
Across from the building, at Wick and Lincoln avenues, is where LRC Realty is in the pre-development stage for a new student housing complex and retail center. The complex will have 160 beds and 15,000 square feet of retail space.
LRC has proposed a five-story building with the top four stories for student housing and the first floor for retail spaces.
In early December, a Youngstown State University trustees committee authorized lease of nearly 2 acres of property between Lincoln and Wick avenues to LRC for $10 million.
LRC has developed properties in Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Florida. The company’s development projects include student housing, a fitness center and plazas.
The company has about 4 acres of property in Canfield Township that it expects to develop for retail. A portion of the property, at the corner of Raccoon Road and U.S. Route 224, will be leased to Giant Eagle for a new GetGo gas station.
“We are continually evaluating growth opportunities across all of our markets, and we are very excited to bring the GetGo Cafe + Market experience to Canfield Township as we begin the construction of a new location at the intersection of Raccoon Road and U.S. Route 224,” said Dan Donovan, Giant Eagle’s director of corporate communications, in a statement.