WAYNESVILLE — Village council has voted to name its new administration building in honor of Village Manager R. Kevin Harper.

        Construction will start this summer and be finished in about one year. The building will be at 1400 Lytle Road.

        Mr. Harper, who became Waynesville's first village manager in 1994, will retire Nov. 1 and move back to his native Columbus.

        “He's most deserving of the honor,” Councilman Patrick Irelan said. “He has overcome huge obstacles. He's taken a little village and changed it into a sophisticated operation.”

        The two-level building will consist of about 12,000 square feet and cost just under $1 million. Village offices will be housed there, including the police department and council.

        In the last eight years, Mr. Harper has obtained numerous grants, upgraded equipment and operations and established the Accommodation Line Ohio Scenic Byway (U.S. 42).

        Mr. Harper said he was touched by council's decision in a vote Monday.

        “It came right out of the blue to me,” he said. “You could have knocked me over with a feather. It's wonderful.”

        Waynesville, with about 2,500 people, is a village in northern Warren County.

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