Locals excited for Tiffin’s future: New developments, more jobs, safer streets

TIFFIN, OH — With so many announcements of new developments in Tiffin in recent months, many locals and regional residents are excited for what’s yet to come in the city’s future.

This week, Findlay-based roller skating rink and family entertainment center, Roller Thunder, announced it is closing its Findlay location and moving to Tiffin.

Owner Tim Thwaits said he has been looking at the Tiffin market for more than a year and has identified a possible location. “Our research over the last couple years shows that much of our business is from Tiffin and Seneca County.

We have the opportunity and the time is right to move our business here and provide a family friendly activity center to the community,” he said.

Rolling Thunder has been a staple of the Findlay-Hancock County community since the end of 2010, providing kids and family entertainment through a skating rink, arcade, birthday party services, as well as skate sales and repair.

The same amenities will be offered in the Tiffin location, which is anticipated to be larger than the current Findlay location, allowing for the possibility of a larger rink and/or more entertainment options. Several details have yet to be finalized. The Findlay facility will be closing January 1, 2019 in anticipation of the relocation.

Tiffin Mayor Aaron Montz supports the planned development. “I am pleased that Tim is looking at Tiffin to relocate his operations and the City of Tiffin will do whatever we can to help facilitate the move,” he said.

Other projects such as Planet Fitness in the Tiffin Mall, Magic Tunnel Car Wash at Westgate, Kiku Japanese Fusion Restaurant, and several other businesses have also sparked interest in the city.

Plans for riverfront development are also in the works, including creative loft living, riverside restaurants, hotels, and more.

Florida-based developer and entrepreneur Ed Hernando is a Heidelberg University graduate, former captain of the football team, and current member of Heidelberg’s business school advisory board.

He has been working with the city and economic development officials on the project concept since early 2017. He cited the city’s prudent planning in the purchase of the Stalsworth and Livery property in 2013 and the 2016 Downtown Strategic Growth & Development Plan among several reasons to invest in Tiffin.

“It is evident that Tiffin is a community investing in itself and its future, and I want to support its growth and development with this large-scale project,” he said.

Tiffin Mayor Aaron Montz said that Tiffin is open and prepared for this kind of development. “The Tiffin Riverfront Development will be a transformational project in the heart of downtown Tiffin building upon the already strong momentum the community has experienced over the past several years,” he stated.

“It will provide unique housing and lodging for new and current residents while serving as a catalyst for additional investment in the future. This further builds on other major transformational projects in the downtown like the Frost-Kalnow Amphitheater on the East Green, future splash pad, and newly renovated lofts and storefronts.”

Moving the project forward is contingent upon significant further due diligence and market validation, but the current plan, based on research to date, contains the “Creative Lofts” and “Downtown Residences and Hotel” projects.

The Creative Lofts will be located on City Lot 6 across the river from Kiwanis Manor and will offer affordable lofts geared toward young professionals and graduates from the local communities, encouraging young people to stay in Tiffin post-graduation to live, work, launch businesses, and make Tiffin their home.

It is estimated that the Creative Lofts will have 85 units, which is subject to change based on entitlement, building restrictions, and market conditions.

The Downtown Residences & Hotel will be located on City Lot 4 on the site of the former Stalsworth Hotel and Livery and provide the ultimate in elegance and spa living for condominium owners and a boutique hotel experience for guests.

The project includes a restaurant lobby and bar, conference space for events, banquets and weddings, as well as a rooftop bar and restaurant. It is estimated that the Downtown Residences & Hotel will have 50 full-service hotel rooms, 45 condominium residences, and four to five penthouse units. This is also subject to change, based on the previously mentioned factors.