Reinventing downtown: delays and developments
City considers approving more building renovations to renovate district
Joel Pavelski
Issue date: 3/5/09 Section: Your News
Spurred by last November's housing grants and the recent Blueprint Plan for Development, downtown business owners are banding together with the Hillsdale city government to reinvent the downtown atmosphere.
In addition to the ongoing renovations of the Dawn Theater and Keefer House, the city expects renovation projects to begin soon on two neighboring downtown buildings. Economic Development Director Christine Bowman said development proposals for the renovation of two buildings on North Broad Street - one that currently houses Broad Street Market and one that houses Trevathan Suites and Sew Shop - are due on May 1.
The city of Hillsdale currently owns both buildings, she said.
"The persons who redevelop those building will be expected to pay the taxes for five years basically as the rent payment," she said. "At the end of five years, if they've redeveloped it according to the terms of the agreement the building is sold to them for one dollar."
Bowman said the Trevathan family, which currently occupies 45 North Broad St., is working on a proposal to occupy and renovate both portions of that building, in order to expand its sewing shop with more products and classroom space.
"We might get development proposals from others, but that whole corner will be rehabilitated in the next five years," she said.
Redevelopment projects take time, as other current downtown projects show. The owner and current redeveloper of the Keefer House, Jeffrey Horton, said there are always surprises with old buildings.
"It's an uphill battle," he said. "Becoming familiar with these old buildings and what they need, being accommodating to their age, it takes time."
The Keefer House
Sitting on the prominent corner of North Howell Street and North Street, the old Keefer House, with its four floors, three storefronts, 10 doors, and nearly 100 windows, remains a massive testament to change. The ongoing renovation, began in early 2006 by the retired dentist Horton, has turned the imposing building into a dusty construction site.
In addition to the ongoing renovations of the Dawn Theater and Keefer House, the city expects renovation projects to begin soon on two neighboring downtown buildings. Economic Development Director Christine Bowman said development proposals for the renovation of two buildings on North Broad Street - one that currently houses Broad Street Market and one that houses Trevathan Suites and Sew Shop - are due on May 1.
The city of Hillsdale currently owns both buildings, she said.
"The persons who redevelop those building will be expected to pay the taxes for five years basically as the rent payment," she said. "At the end of five years, if they've redeveloped it according to the terms of the agreement the building is sold to them for one dollar."
Bowman said the Trevathan family, which currently occupies 45 North Broad St., is working on a proposal to occupy and renovate both portions of that building, in order to expand its sewing shop with more products and classroom space.
"We might get development proposals from others, but that whole corner will be rehabilitated in the next five years," she said.
Redevelopment projects take time, as other current downtown projects show. The owner and current redeveloper of the Keefer House, Jeffrey Horton, said there are always surprises with old buildings.
"It's an uphill battle," he said. "Becoming familiar with these old buildings and what they need, being accommodating to their age, it takes time."
The Keefer House
Sitting on the prominent corner of North Howell Street and North Street, the old Keefer House, with its four floors, three storefronts, 10 doors, and nearly 100 windows, remains a massive testament to change. The ongoing renovation, began in early 2006 by the retired dentist Horton, has turned the imposing building into a dusty construction site.
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