'Building' something special in Sandusky

SANDUSKY — The plans for an architectural firm's move checked out for Sandusky officials. So much so, in fact, that city commissioners provided a $25,000 grant in local economic development funds to help offset an overall investment reaching about $517,000. Earlier this month, Schmid Architects, formerly known as Poulos + Schmid Design Group, relocated its offices to 422 Columbus Ave. inside the former Sandusky Massotherapy building. Schmid Architects did operate from a storefront on East Perkins Avenue in Perkins Township. For context: • Sandusky officials provided the grant to an LLC known as GSS Group, a real estate holding company that purchased this property specifically for Schmid Architects. • GSS owns the building now occupied by Schmid Architects. • Stacie Schmid owns GSS, and she's married to Greg Schmid. • Greg Schmid represents the company partner of Schmid Architects. Jonathan Holody, the city's community development director, justified why officials provided these two private entities with public funds. "This project will result in the major overhaul of a commercial building on the outer edge of downtown and the attraction of a locally based firm into the city," Holody said. "The renovation will position this building for many more years of productive use." Stacie further explained why her company and Greg's business opted to make a major investment in Sandusky. "Greg and I have always wanted to own a business downtown," said Stacie, who, with Greg, raised three children in the Sandusky area and remain active on many community boards and organizations. "We love this block of Columbus Avenue," said Stacie, noting all building renovations should be complete by this fall. "This new location provides the staff of Schmid Architects a pleasant work environment with the ability to walk to local parks, restaurants and businesses. We have only been here for two weeks, and the move has already positively impacted our team." But, no matter where the company does business from, Greg made a promise. "Schmid Architects will continue to provide the same trusted professional services that this firm has provided for the last 39 years," he said. Making sense of the dollars and cents Schmid Architects relocating to Sandusky into 422 Columbus Ave. a property the GSS Group owns, collectively represented a $517,000 investment. The two companies are owned by the Schmid spouses. The private investment breaks down with: • $275,000: cost paid for acquiring this site • $242,000: cost paid to renovate this site A $25,000 grant from Sandusky's government, paid for with local economic development funds, helped offset this balance. Source: Sandusky economic development office Bio blast: Schmid Architects Excerpts from company statements provide some insight into Schmid Architects Schmid Architects, organized in 1983, is a multi-talented architectural firm providing a wide range of professional services to many types of clients. It has worked on more than 3,000 projects since the firm's founding. Schmid Architects provides nearly every aspect of planning, design and construction supervision from concept through completion. We offer the broad expertise and advantages of a large firm with the intimacy and attention to detail of a smaller company. A dynamic organization of experienced and talented personnel are prepared to serve you. Our specialties include health care, education, religious, government, commercial, civic, recreational and residential. We offer consulting services in the fields of structural, marine, electrical engineering, construction management and architecture. Our mission is to design buildings that are responsive to the specific needs of our clients, the community and our environment.