Kenton is receiving over $5.5 million in state funding to make transformative infrastructure improvements to the historic Hardin County Courthouse district. The Ohio Department of Development awarded $5 million in Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Grant funding for water and sewer system upgrades across a nine-block area, supplemented by $500,000 from the Ohio EPA. This investment is replacing aging pipes, installing new 12-inch water mains on Franklin, Main, Columbus, and Detroit streets, and creating a redundant connection to the treatment plant.
Once underground infrastructure work is complete, the city will begin a complete redesign of Kenton's downtown streetscape including street lamps, mid-block crossings, curb extensions, rain gardens, and improved signage. The Hardin County Chamber and Business Alliance presented plans to create a Community Reinvestment Area, allowing property owners to receive tax relief for improvements. The Hardin County Commissioners established a Local Revolving Loan Fund providing gap funding for business establishment and expansion.
Whether you're renovating downtown property to capitalize on streetscape improvements, expanding commercial facilities, or developing new business space in this revitalizing market, Kenton projects benefit from experienced oversight. An independent Owner's Representative ensures that infrastructure complexity and timing don't compromise your project's success.
Every construction project has three parties, but only one works exclusively for you. Architects focus on design intent and code compliance. General Contractors focus on means, methods, and their own profitability. This leaves what we call the Leadership Vacuum where the owner's budget and schedule go unprotected.
DeVore Consulting fills this void. We work exclusively for you, attending every critical meeting, reviewing every pay application, and scrutinizing every change order. In a downtown environment with active infrastructure construction, having an experienced advocate ensures your project coordinates effectively with public improvements.
Downtown revitalization requires coordination and discipline. Our approach addresses both.
Downtown renovation projects often encounter unforeseen conditions. We verify that contractor bids account for realistic contingencies, review pay applications against work completed, and analyze change orders to separate legitimate costs from contractor overreach.
We never hold trade contracts or self-perform work. Our advice is purely objective, based on what serves your interest rather than our margin.
We specialize in projects from $500K to $50M, the range where most downtown renovation and commercial development occurs. Your project receives dedicated attention.
We support the project types driving Hardin County's revitalization:
Converting historic downtown buildings into modern commercial, office, and mixed-use space.
New construction and renovation serving the local and regional business community.
Medical, legal, and business office facilities serving the county seat market.
Courthouse area and county building projects requiring transparency and accountability.
We serve communities throughout North Central Ohio including Bellefontaine, Marion, and Upper Sandusky.
The ideal time to engage DeVore Consulting is during project planning, before you've finalized designs or committed to contractor relationships. We provide Fatal Flaw Analysis that evaluates site conditions, infrastructure coordination requirements, and realistic project timelines given ongoing public improvements.
If your Kenton project is already underway and experiencing challenges, we can help stabilize the situation through rigorous change order review and contractor accountability.
Contact DeVore Consulting to discuss your Kenton project.
We provide comprehensive project oversight for business owners and developers who need expert guidance through the construction process. With 20+ years overseeing the design and construction of residential and commercial, we know where problems hide and how to prevent them.
These FAQs are a starting point, but your project has specific goals, risks, and financial stakes. My role is to be your trusted guide.I protect your time and money by simplifying the process, providing experienced oversight, and preventing costly mistakes before they happen.
The Hardin County Chamber and Business Alliance proposed creating a Community Reinvestment Area allowing property owners to receive tax relief for improvements. The Hardin County Commissioners established a Local Revolving Loan Fund providing low-interest gap funding for business establishment and expansion. We help clients understand which programs apply to their projects and ensure construction documentation meets incentive requirements.
Kenton received over $5.5 million in state funding for infrastructure improvements to the historic Hardin County Courthouse district. This includes $5 million for water and sewer upgrades across nine blocks, plus $500,000 from Ohio EPA. New 12-inch water mains are being installed on multiple streets with a redundant connection to the treatment plant. This creates coordination requirements for nearby projects. We help clients navigate active public infrastructure environments.
Depending on scope, fees typically range from 0.5% to 1% of the total construction cost, depending on the project's complexity, timeline, and the specific scope of services you need . Studies have shown this investment typically saves clients 3-5% on total construction costs through rigorous contractor management, change order review, and problem prevention, meaning the service more than pays for itself.
Yes. An owner's rep with a strong financial background is invaluable here. With an MBA in Real Estate Finance, we help you prepare the realistic, bank-ready documents lenders need to see. We create defensible pro formas, validate construction budgets, and manage the loan draw process, which builds essential trust and credibility with your lender.
Yes. Our service doesn't end when the contractor hands over the keys. Our "Phase 4: Closeout" process includes comprehensive warranty management and post-occupancy support to ensure your building functions as intended. We ensure all final documentation and manuals are collected, which is the foundation for your long-term facility management.
Absolutely. While we add the most value by being involved from pre-construction through closeout , we can tailor our services to your specific needs. We are often brought in just for pre-construction planning, to help with contractor selection, or to get a troubled project that's already underway back on track.
Yes. While some firms only focus on large institutional projects, we specialize in guiding small business owners and first-time developers. The need for an owner's rep depends more on your project's complexity than its size. A complex $2M restaurant renovation often has more risk than a simple $5M warehouse. We can help you assess if professional oversight makes financial sense for your specific project .
Of course. We'll provide you with all the free advice you can handle. But to get started formally, we'll have to make sure our services align with you needs. We'll get to know your project aspirations and put together a proposal. Until we have an agreement no payment is expected.
This information goes to a real human being. Its a great way to learn more and start the conversation without any obligation. We will never provide your personal or contact information to a 3rd party.
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