Athens Armory opens as new home to Athens County Foundation and BlueDot Coworking
September 30 open house draws stakeholders
and community members alike.
After being shuttered for decades, the historic Athens Armory at the north end of Court Street is now open; the newly renovated building is home to the Athens County Foundation and BlueDot Coworking & Event Space.
“We see the Armory as a renewed heartbeat in the center of our county – a place where people can connect, where conversations spark ideas, where partnerships are formed, and where our community’s past and future intersect,” said Kerry Pigman, ACF executive director. ACF provided seed funding for BlueDot Coworking and collaboration to make the Armory renovation happen. “The Athens County Foundation is proud to help steward this moment and this space,” Pigman added.
ACF’s move to the Armory creates a more welcoming and accessible space for the community. The new location offers room for gatherings, deeper connection, and collaboration. It also supports the Foundation’s programs like Project Co-Create, Strengths+Strengths workshops for nonprofits, and Leadership Athens County. Pigman added that she “hopes this new space makes it easier for more people to get involved and shape what’s next for Athens County.”
The September 30 open house event drew hundreds of people interested in viewing the $6.5 million renovation; attendees had the opportunity to explore the space’s amenities – including the central, spacious event space named Logueville Great Hall after the late City of Athens planner, Paul Logue.
Additionally, residents and visitors took in the ACF offices as well as the space’s business office spaces, flexible workstations, meeting areas and a shared-use kitchen – all designed to support remote workers, freelancers and small business owners across Athens County.
BlueDot Coworking is a nonprofit developed to meet the rising demand for professional, flexible workspace in the region. The shared space model supports the growing number of professionals working remotely or launching businesses in Southeast Ohio, while fostering networking and cross-sector collaboration.
Sadie Meade, director of BlueDot Coworking, shared her excitement about the space, particularly the coworking space, which she said will create opportunity for community collaborations. “Folks who will work there from a multitude of organizations and entrepreneurial perspectives will build proximal relationships with one another,” she said, “That work together can become really natural (through) a coffee, walk.”
Meade praised the Athens County Foundation. “From a community standpoint, they bring a whole community of folks with them,” she said. Meade is currently enrolled in Leadership Athens County, a leadership development program sponsored by ACF. “It feels very serendipitous,” Meade said.
Individuals and businesses can access a wide array of BlueDot memberships, from drop-ins to private offices. Members have 24/7 access to the space. Learn more about membership options at bluedotcoworking.org/coworking.
Next door to the armory is Armory Park, which is free to rent. For more information, reach out to info@bluedotcoworking.org.
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