Plans for The Venue fall through

Plans for a downtown Portland music venue will not move forward.

Portland Redevelopment Commission learned Friday that Dave Smuts, one of the music promoters involved in the project, indicated that his group will not pursue development of The Venue at 105 W. Main St. and that they are open to selling the building.

Redevelopment commission president Rusty Inman said Smuts had emailed to share the news. 

Treaver Schmit, Jamie Smith, Travis Smith and Smuts visited the redevelopment commission in January 2024 to share plans to rehabilitate the building as a concert venue to feature local, regional and national performers. Smuts said he was planning a lineup of rock and country musicians as well as comedians.

The Smiths owned the building via Coppersmith Property Management, with Smuts and Schmit planning to rent it initially with the possibility of buying it later. According to Jay County Assessor’s Office documents, Smutstock Entertainment purchased the building from Coppersmith Property Management for $40,000 in June.

In February 2024, the redevelopment commission agreed to contribute $35,000 toward concrete and plumbing work in the building. At that time, Jamie Smith said the key steps toward getting the project going were plumbing, electrical and installation of a concrete floor. Travis Smith estimated it would take a year from the start of construction to completion.

Inman said he believes no work has been done to the building since then because there have been no requests for reimbursement from the $35,000 that was committed. (When the redevelopment commission provides funding, it is paid out as reimbursement after work is complete.) He noted that the building has a new roof, which was put on by former owner Barry Hudson.

Redevelopment commission members Joe Johnston, Reda Theurer-Miller, Mike Simons and Inman, with Dave Teeter absent, voted to get two appraisals on the structure. That step is required before the redevelopment commission could make an offer on the building.

Consultant Ed Curtin of CWC Latitudes also suggested that the redevelopment commission request access to the building in order to be able to evaluate its current status.

The Venue is the second planned business at 105 W. Main St. in the last decade that has not come to fruition. Previously, Ryan and Kelly Johnson had plans for HoosierBoy Smokehouse and Brew at the site before later opening Glass Capital Grill in Dunkirk.

Curtin updated the redevelopment commission on the county’s efforts to install utilities as the first step for a proposed housing development on 68 acres on the north side of Votaw Street on the west side of the city. He noted that Portland City Council recently committed $400,000 to the project, contingent on Jay County Redevelopment Commission providing the remaining funds needed to move forward.

The county has committed $1.28 million in federal coronavirus relief funds through the American Rescue Plan Act toward the project and is hoping for an additional $1.21 million through the state's Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) 2.0. (The county has received an initial letter from Indiana Economic Development Corporation regarding funding for the project, but final approvals have not yet been announced.)

The first phase of the project would include installation of water and sewer lines and construction of approaches for a new street off of Votaw Street (Indiana 26/67).

Johnston asked about interest in the project, noting that there was a meeting held for prospective developers. Curtin responded that not as many developers showed up had been hoped, but that there were several consultants that represent developers.

The deadline for a request for proposals was extended to Nov. 7 in hopes of attracting more interest and because of some modifications to the document.

Curtin told redevelopment commission members that they may be approached in the future about contributing to the project.

Also Friday, Curtin provided a brief update on negotiations with a developer for apartments in the upper floors of The Hood Building, 309 W. Main St. (The redevelopment commission bought the building from The Graphic Printing Company, which continues to rent the first floor and basement, in December 2023.) He said the process is ongoing and he hopes to have an agreement in place by the end of November.

In other business, the redevelopment commission:

•Heard updates from Theurer-Miller regarding Portland Main Street Connect activities:

   —Planters have been placed in the downtown area with mums for the fall. Winter plantings are planned for after Veterans Day in preparation for Winterfest.

   —Work continues on a historical trail. She said plans are to work with local historian Jane Spencer regarding markers that could be placed to note historic sites in the city.

   —Efforts toward implementing a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area in the city are continuing. (Portland City Council approved such an area, which allows bar/restaurant patrons to purchase alcohol, leave the establishment and walk with their drink in a designated open container.) She said the focus currently is on what signs need to be put in place to make the rules for the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area clear to the public.

•Reviewed its planned meeting schedule for 2026. The commission regularly meets on the fourth Friday of January, April, July and October.

•Approved its 2026 spending plan, which must be submitted to Indiana Department of Local Government Finance by Dec. 1.