July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Building may house local groups (12/1/04)
Chamber, JCDC among those who may occupy S. Meridian building
A local group hopes to turn a dilapidated building in downtown Portland into a “convenience center” for those wanting to establish a business, industry or residence in the area.
Local banker Barry Hudson, one of the partners in Jay Pride LLC, said this morning that plans are for the building to be occupied by five agencies which serve public and business interests.
Two of the targeted groups — the Portland Area Chamber of Commerce and Jay/Portland Building and Planning — have approved relocating to the building, which is located at 118 S. Meridian Street across from the post office.
Other groups that have been offered spots in the 4,400-square foot building include Jay County Visitor & Tourism Bureau, Jay County Development Corporation and Jay County Community Development.
Putting all those entities in one location makes sense, said Hudson.
“They’ve got ... one shop there that they can get everything done ... It’s like a convenience center there. It’s a convenience store for businesses, entrepreneurs and new people coming to town,” said Hudson.
Jay Pride owns a one-quarter block area that includes the building and several bare lots to the south at the northwest corner of Meridian and Water streets. Those lots formerly housed a gas station, bar and beauty shop. Those buildings have been demolished over the past 10 years.
The area to the south of the existing building will be used for parking — not only for the Jay Pride building but also for the John Jay Center for Learning’s new home in the Weiler Building at the southeast corner of Main and Meridian streets.
“I think this is a wonderful opportunity to meet our needs for downtown revitalization and development,” Portland Mayor Bruce Hosier said this morning. “I just think it’s the right piece of the puzzle to fit there.”
Vicki Tague, executive director of the chamber, agreed. “The chamber and economic development ... have been pursuing this idea of co-locating so we could be one-stop shopping for development projects. There’s lots of reasons why it makes good sense (and) ... with other tenants, it makes it even better,” Tague said. “I think also that the restoration of that building is going to be wonderful for that 100 block of South Meridian.”
Jay County community developer Wayne Bailey said that a proposal on relocation will be taken to JCDC’s executive committee in the next several weeks. The matter will then likely be acted on by the full JCDC board, which oversees operations of both JCDC and JCCD.
“Conceptually, we think it’s a good idea,” Bailey said this morning.
Members of the chamber’s board of directors approved relocating at a meeting Tuesday evening.
Four of the five groups offered space in the building are funded at least partially by public money. Only the chamber is funded privately.
Hosier said that financial details of the plan — including leases and other possible commitments of public money — will be released as soon as possible.
Hudson said this morning that Limberlost Construction of Geneva has been hired to renovate the building, which will also include a board/conference room and space that can be used as a temporary office for start-up businesses.
He said he hopes to establish an exhibit space in the front of the building along Meridian Street that could highlight Jay County’s connection with the development of the automobile.
“We’re hoping to bring some of the (automobile pioneer) Elwood Haynes museum-type things in there. Maybe an automobile or information that would bring tourists in there,” Hudson said.
The timetable for completion depends on approval of plans both locally and at the state level, and on approval for relocation by JCDC and the visitor and tourism bureau.
If all of the invited groups re-locate, it would leave two downtown offices empty, along with an office in the Jay County Courthouse.
A building owned by the chamber at 411 N. Meridian St. houses the chamber and tourism bureau, while JCDC and JCCD rent office space at 122 E. Main St. in a building owned by Sprint.
Jay/Portland Building and Planning is currently located on the first floor of the courthouse.
Tague said this morning that a chamber committee is exploring options regarding the current site — including whether to offer it for sale or lease to a potential tenant.[[In-content Ad]]
Local banker Barry Hudson, one of the partners in Jay Pride LLC, said this morning that plans are for the building to be occupied by five agencies which serve public and business interests.
Two of the targeted groups — the Portland Area Chamber of Commerce and Jay/Portland Building and Planning — have approved relocating to the building, which is located at 118 S. Meridian Street across from the post office.
Other groups that have been offered spots in the 4,400-square foot building include Jay County Visitor & Tourism Bureau, Jay County Development Corporation and Jay County Community Development.
Putting all those entities in one location makes sense, said Hudson.
“They’ve got ... one shop there that they can get everything done ... It’s like a convenience center there. It’s a convenience store for businesses, entrepreneurs and new people coming to town,” said Hudson.
Jay Pride owns a one-quarter block area that includes the building and several bare lots to the south at the northwest corner of Meridian and Water streets. Those lots formerly housed a gas station, bar and beauty shop. Those buildings have been demolished over the past 10 years.
The area to the south of the existing building will be used for parking — not only for the Jay Pride building but also for the John Jay Center for Learning’s new home in the Weiler Building at the southeast corner of Main and Meridian streets.
“I think this is a wonderful opportunity to meet our needs for downtown revitalization and development,” Portland Mayor Bruce Hosier said this morning. “I just think it’s the right piece of the puzzle to fit there.”
Vicki Tague, executive director of the chamber, agreed. “The chamber and economic development ... have been pursuing this idea of co-locating so we could be one-stop shopping for development projects. There’s lots of reasons why it makes good sense (and) ... with other tenants, it makes it even better,” Tague said. “I think also that the restoration of that building is going to be wonderful for that 100 block of South Meridian.”
Jay County community developer Wayne Bailey said that a proposal on relocation will be taken to JCDC’s executive committee in the next several weeks. The matter will then likely be acted on by the full JCDC board, which oversees operations of both JCDC and JCCD.
“Conceptually, we think it’s a good idea,” Bailey said this morning.
Members of the chamber’s board of directors approved relocating at a meeting Tuesday evening.
Four of the five groups offered space in the building are funded at least partially by public money. Only the chamber is funded privately.
Hosier said that financial details of the plan — including leases and other possible commitments of public money — will be released as soon as possible.
Hudson said this morning that Limberlost Construction of Geneva has been hired to renovate the building, which will also include a board/conference room and space that can be used as a temporary office for start-up businesses.
He said he hopes to establish an exhibit space in the front of the building along Meridian Street that could highlight Jay County’s connection with the development of the automobile.
“We’re hoping to bring some of the (automobile pioneer) Elwood Haynes museum-type things in there. Maybe an automobile or information that would bring tourists in there,” Hudson said.
The timetable for completion depends on approval of plans both locally and at the state level, and on approval for relocation by JCDC and the visitor and tourism bureau.
If all of the invited groups re-locate, it would leave two downtown offices empty, along with an office in the Jay County Courthouse.
A building owned by the chamber at 411 N. Meridian St. houses the chamber and tourism bureau, while JCDC and JCCD rent office space at 122 E. Main St. in a building owned by Sprint.
Jay/Portland Building and Planning is currently located on the first floor of the courthouse.
Tague said this morning that a chamber committee is exploring options regarding the current site — including whether to offer it for sale or lease to a potential tenant.[[In-content Ad]]
Top Stories
9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit
Chartwells marketing
September 17, 2024 7:36 a.m.
Events
250 X 250 AD