The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) has announced the groundbreaking of a new central office facility in New Philadelphia, scheduled to open late next year. The announcement was made in a press release on March 24, 2025.
According to the MWCD, the organization has been based in New Philadelphia for nearly 91 years. However, its current office on 3rd St. NW can no longer accommodate its expanding staff and equipment. To address this issue, MWCD is constructing a new 35,000-square-foot facility that will consolidate administrative, engineering, IT, conservation, recreation, and other departments into a single location. The facility will also provide a 125-person meeting space for public engagement. Additional site features include a separate service garage, a water lab, a sign shop, and trails linking to the Kent State University Tolloty Technology Incubator, along with a new dog park.
The new facility is designed with sustainability in mind. It will incorporate stormwater retention for irrigation, rooftop solar panels on the service building, and four electric vehicle charging stations. Construction is scheduled for completion by fall 2026, with MWCD staff moving in shortly afterward.
"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," said Ron Dziedzicki, MWCD board chair. He added that not only will it help MWCD streamline central office operations by having everything under one roof instead of divided between three different locations but also serve as a model for sustainable construction.
The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District oversees flood reduction, conservation, and recreation across Ohio’s largest drainage system. This spans over 8,000 square miles and parts of 27 counties. With 16 dams and reservoirs under its management, MWCD helps protect communities while preserving water resources. The watershed consists of three subregions—the Tuscarawas, Walhonding, and Lower Muskingum Watersheds—which converge at Coshocton before flowing into the Ohio River.
