Downtown demolition to provide parking, gathering space

May 16, 2014 Downtown demolition to provide parking, gathering space First phase of investment underway in downtown revitalization

Anonymous Rushville Republican The Rushville Republican Fri May 16, 2014, 02:50 AM EDT

Findings from a structural engineering report that the former Felts buildings at 227-231 North Main Street will experience partial or total collapse is imminent. This led city officials to authorize their demolition to make way for additional parking and for a future public gathering space to be created as part of Rushvilles downtown revitalization initiative.

According to Mayor Mike Pavey, the front buildings have been torn down and the remaining demolition will be completed within the next few weeks.

Phase I of our future space use plan includes a brand new parking lot with beautiful planters. Phase II will remove the planters to make way for construction of a public gathering space, specifically a future farmers market area and public restrooms, Pavey said. We were saddened to have to demolish long-standing connected downtown buildings which were built in the early 1900s. Their condition was becoming visibly unpromising with the development of a vertical crack from the roof to the foundation, so tearing them down was our only option. We are turning a negative into a positive by doubling the number of parking spots on Main Street while creating an attractive and functional public space a variety of events can be hosted in an organized space.

Costs for the demolition and revitalization project include approximately $38,000 for property procurement, $60,000 for demolition. Early estimates for Phase I are $75,000 and $80,000 for Phase II. This project has no hard-fast deadline and will proceed as funding allows. Phase II work will be a part downtown improvement grant applications city officials plan to pursue.

According to Rushville City Councilman Brian Sheehan, who spearheaded the Heart of Rushvilles Smile Fund, approximately $12,000 has been raised to improve the downtown, the face of the community.

Our revitalization focus is to accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative. In their current state, the two buildings were in such poor condition no investment would have been made in them. Rather than remaining stagnant and facing the buildings imminent collapse, we are working to beautify the location and improve the areas functionality, Sheehan said. In addition, we would love to see a mural or other artwork added to further improve the aesthetics and attitude of our downtown space.

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Downtown demolition to provide parking, gathering space