Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District Breaks Ground on New Headquarters in New Philadelphia
NEW PHILADELPHIA, OH – The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) broke ground on a new facility in New Philadelphia that will consolidate its central office operations in a single location. The new facility is expected to be opened toward the end of next year.
The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District has proudly represented the region for nearly 91 years and is honored to call New Philadelphia home.
The main office building located on 3rd St. NW in New Philadelphia has served the organization well, however, after an addition and several upgrades over the years, the building is no longer large enough to hold a growing staff (and equipment used to maintain our lands, parks, and marinas). Staff including administration, engineering, IT, conservation, natural resources, recreation, marketing, and programming are currently divided between three locations.
“The community’s support for this project has been overwhelming and we appreciate that so many local leaders were on hand to celebrate the start of it. Not only will it help MWCD streamline central office operations by having everything under a single roof instead of divided between three different locations, but, more important, this building will serve as a model for sustainable construction,” said Ron Dziedzicki, MWCD board chair.
“We are thrilled about MWCD’s continued investment in our community and the benefits its lakes, parks, and marinas bring to the economy of all of eastern Ohio,” Joel Day, mayor of the City of New Philadelphia. “This project not only strengthens our city’s connection to MWCD’s mission but also provides valuable public amenities, such as expanded trails and a dedicated space for natural resources education and community meetings. I can’t wait to see it completed and all the great things that will happen here.”
In addition to MWCD’s administrative offices, the approximately 35,000-square-foot building will feature a meeting area for up to 125 people, which will allow for further engagement with residents and lake users. A separate building will contain a service garage for MWCD’s vehicles, a water lab, and a sign shop. The site will include trails that connect to the existing trail system at the Kent State University Tolloty Technology Incubator and a new dog park for public use.
Designed with sustainability in mind, the facility will retain stormwater for landscape irrigation and the service building will generate some of its own electricity via rooftop solar panels. The site will also be equipped with four electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.
“For more than 90 years, MWCD’s public mission has been a powerful motivator for the men and women who choose to work here and share their talents to support our work for Eastern Ohio. In addition to being a more productive place for the team to work together, this facility is a symbol of MWCD’s further investment in the region we serve. I’m grateful for the support we have received as we start this initiative, and I look forward to bringing it online soon so it can serve as a hub for community engagement, education, and collaboration,” said Craig Butler, executive director.
Construction is expected to be completed by fall 2026, with MWCD staff moving in shortly thereafter.
For more information on MWCD and updates on the headquarters project, visit www.mwcd.org or follow us on social media.
