Buckner & Sons Masonry, LLC, a family-owned business, was founded in 1991 by Otis and Bailene Buckner in their home in Columbus’ Hilltop neighborhood. With Otis’ retirement, the company is now led by a second generation, his son O. Jerome Buckner, who is serves as president.
The company specializes in masonry and over the years has worked on approximately 100 buildings in the Columbus area. It recently moved from its long-time Hilltop location to 2929 E. 14th Ave. when it merged with Lang Masonry in January 2023. The company is a certified Minority Business Enterprise and employs a workforce of around 25 that increases to as many as 50 people with the addition of subcontractors for large projects.
Bucker & Sons Masonry is one of 17 small and emerging businesses that are part of the construction project to build the new Franklin County Crisis Care Center at 465 Harmon Ave. When it opens in 2025, the more than 70 thousand-square-foot facility will offer an array of critical mental health and addiction intervention services through both walk-in and inpatient units.
“Having grown up on the Hilltop and started our business on the Hilltop, it is important to be part of a facility that provides access to mental health services, providing stability to people in that area and beyond,” Jerome said.
He said he learned about the opportunity to work on the new Crisis Care Center through relationships with the construction project’s vendor outreach team led by Elford and Ginger Cunningham and Associates. He then attended vendor outreach meetings to learn more about the project.
“From a business point of view, the opportunity to work on the building is great. The building will be beautiful and it is a good opportunity to partner with Elford and CK Construction (formerly Corna Kokosing),” Jerome said. His company will complete the masonry for the brick exterior on the crisis center’s façade.
“I appreciate the efforts of Franklin County and ADAMH to strive for participation for companies like us – small businesses, not just minority-owned. Everyone is trying to grow, get better and do better. Of course, it is up to us to do our part and make sure we perform,” Jerome added.