Assistance approved

A planned performance space will get some financial assistance.

Portland Redevelopment Commission on Friday approved contributing $35,000 toward concrete and plumbing work for The Venue of Portland.

Dave Smyts, Treaver Schmit, Jamie Smith and Travis Smith of The Venue visited the redevelopment commission last month to discuss plans and request funding for the property at 105 W. Main St. The Smiths own the site via CopperSmith Property Management and plan to rehabilitate it, with Smyts and Schmit to rent it initially and potentially buy it in the future for use as a concert venue featuring local, regional and national performers. They asked for any help that might be available, with redevelopment then requesting that they return with a breakdown of specific costs. 

The redevelopment commission reviewed that breakdown Friday, with commission member Rusty Inman noting that some items, such as exterior masonry work, would fit better within the city’s facade program. Pointing out that the redevelopment commission has traditionally selected a particular part of a project and then funded it at 20%, he suggested considering building improvements as opposed to items such as furnishings.

Jamie Smith said the key steps to get the project going are plumbing, electrical and the concrete floor.

Answering additional questions from the redevelopment commission and Mayor Jeff Westlake, Jamie Smith said plans for the rear (south side) of the building include a garage door that would open to an outdoor patio space. 

Westlake also asked to visit the space to get a better idea of what the group has planned. Smyts noted that Sweetwater Sound of Fort Wayne will be visiting the building Saturday to discuss sound and lighting needs for use as a concert space. Asked about a timeline, Travis Smith said it will likely take a year from the start of construction to completion.

Redevelopment commission members Reda Theurer-Miller, Mike Simons, Dave Teeter, Inman and Johnston voted unanimously to contribute $35,000 toward the floor and plumbing. (As owners of CopperSmith Electrical, the Smiths said they will do the electrical work at cost.)

The funding will be passed through Portland Economic Development Corporation.

Also discussed Friday were potential plans for the site of the former Hunt’s building at 208 and 210 N. Meridian St., Portland. Demolition of the building is scheduled to begin next week with an estimated timeline of 30 days.

Portland Park Board president Brian Ison told the redevelopment commission a committee has begun brainstorming plans for the site of the Bailey Building on Main Street which was also recently demolished. The early vision is for a small park that would serve as a downtown gathering space.

Teeter, who also serves on the committee, suggested that it look into options for the Meridian Street site as well. Inman, however, said his preference would be to pursue a new building on the site.

“If we continue to lose these buildings, there’s going to be no TIF district because there’s going to be no tax money,” said Inman. “We need these to be taxable entities.”

That led to a discussion about zoning regulations, as currently the former Hunt’s building location would require a variance to allow new construction. The commission discussed the process of changing zoning regulations and whether to look at just one part of the zoning rules or to revamp them holistically.

Consultant Ed Curtin of CWC Latitudes suggested a more overall approach, noting that zoning rules will also impact the potential development of the 68 acres the county purchased on the west side of the city.

The redevelopment commission decided to take the issue to Portland City Council to gauge support for moving forward with revamping zoning rules.

In other business:

•The redevelopment commission approved its financial report, which shows a total of $841,005.99 available. Portland clerk-treasurer Lori Phillips said there were no major changes but noted that the commission is collecting monthly rent from The Graphic Printing Company. (The redevelopment commission in December bought the Hood Building, home of The Graphic Printing Company, for potential development of the upper three floors with the company now renting the basement and first floor.)

•Westlake swore in Inman, Theurer-Miller, Johnston, Simons and Teeter as redevelopment commission members.