Bourbon Business Owners Seek Answers On Historic Status
March 15, 2017 at 6:25 p.m.
By Carol Anders-
Kurt Gardner, member of the Wythogan Valley Preservation Council, was on the agenda to give an update on the progress of an application to the state to have the downtown added to the National Historical Register. The group had applied to the state for the distinction some two years ago. Gardner explained that the matter was up for review in April. A second application is in place for a residential area.
Gardner said every town in Marshall County was on the National Register. He went on to say that Culver, Argos and Plymouth have been on the National Register for 20 years.
Although the members of the town council and their attorney, Mark Wagner, were not aware of the matter, Gardner indicated that the town had given a few hundred dollars toward the project at some point.
Business owners shared their concerns that inclusion in the register would mean restrictions on how they renovated their buildings would come into play.
Gardner said, “There are no ‘police’ or oversight.” He said there are tax credit grants available for rehabilitation of buildings that could mean a 20-percent credit directly off the state income tax.
He further explained that a type of local historical register does have restrictions, but the National Register does not have any that would keep owners from doing whatever they want, including tearing down a building.
Patron Natalie Brookings said, “I didn’t know anything about it. I didn’t know until I got the letter.”
The letter sent from the state outlined how business owners could opt out of the proposed register.
Patron Michael Koontz said he was against the application. He said, “Is this a first step to a second step? How many hoops do I have to jump through? Do we even have a choice?”
If business owners or residential home owners want to opt out, they must have a majority in opposition and state the opposition in writing to the state. Their letters to the state must be notarized.
Brookins said she didn’t care about Plymouth or other towns. She said, “What’s it going to do for the town of Bourbon?”
Gardner pointed out that being on the National Register could help in marketing.
Council President Les McFarland said, “There are a lot of empty buildings downtown.” He indicated that tax credits could entice entrepreneurs to buy property in the town and use tax credits for renovations.
Gardner agreed to stay after the meeting to answer any further questions.
In other matters, the council voted unanimously to approve a number of renovation projects in the town’s parks.
At a previous meeting, approval was given to install replacement playground equipment in the Westwood Park. At the March meeting, approval was given to install a 70-foot by 175-foot fence for use as a dog park. According to Kim Berger, clerk-treasurer, the dog park will have separated areas for large and small dogs. The cost for the installation by Custom Fencing was set at $8,300. Berger also reported that their insurance carrier requires an impact zone for the playground equipment that could be about $2,000.
Repairs to the town pump was approved for a cost of $1,500. The work will be done by Mark’s Masonry.
Replacement flooring from Creative Creations at the main pavilion in the town park and at McBride’s Park was approved at a cost of $6,100. The council was unanimous in approving the installation of metal bathroom partitions, including doors, for $2,091.21. The materials will be purchased from Mid-City Supply and the installation could be done by the town’s maintenance.
Approval was given for the hire of a full-time replacement employee for the waste water department. It was noted that they have only had one applicant at this point.
The three council members reviewed a notice for a public auction for the property recently cleared by the town at 308 E. Center St. Confirmation of the time, place and requirements for purchase will be made available as soon as the final details have been established.
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Kurt Gardner, member of the Wythogan Valley Preservation Council, was on the agenda to give an update on the progress of an application to the state to have the downtown added to the National Historical Register. The group had applied to the state for the distinction some two years ago. Gardner explained that the matter was up for review in April. A second application is in place for a residential area.
Gardner said every town in Marshall County was on the National Register. He went on to say that Culver, Argos and Plymouth have been on the National Register for 20 years.
Although the members of the town council and their attorney, Mark Wagner, were not aware of the matter, Gardner indicated that the town had given a few hundred dollars toward the project at some point.
Business owners shared their concerns that inclusion in the register would mean restrictions on how they renovated their buildings would come into play.
Gardner said, “There are no ‘police’ or oversight.” He said there are tax credit grants available for rehabilitation of buildings that could mean a 20-percent credit directly off the state income tax.
He further explained that a type of local historical register does have restrictions, but the National Register does not have any that would keep owners from doing whatever they want, including tearing down a building.
Patron Natalie Brookings said, “I didn’t know anything about it. I didn’t know until I got the letter.”
The letter sent from the state outlined how business owners could opt out of the proposed register.
Patron Michael Koontz said he was against the application. He said, “Is this a first step to a second step? How many hoops do I have to jump through? Do we even have a choice?”
If business owners or residential home owners want to opt out, they must have a majority in opposition and state the opposition in writing to the state. Their letters to the state must be notarized.
Brookins said she didn’t care about Plymouth or other towns. She said, “What’s it going to do for the town of Bourbon?”
Gardner pointed out that being on the National Register could help in marketing.
Council President Les McFarland said, “There are a lot of empty buildings downtown.” He indicated that tax credits could entice entrepreneurs to buy property in the town and use tax credits for renovations.
Gardner agreed to stay after the meeting to answer any further questions.
In other matters, the council voted unanimously to approve a number of renovation projects in the town’s parks.
At a previous meeting, approval was given to install replacement playground equipment in the Westwood Park. At the March meeting, approval was given to install a 70-foot by 175-foot fence for use as a dog park. According to Kim Berger, clerk-treasurer, the dog park will have separated areas for large and small dogs. The cost for the installation by Custom Fencing was set at $8,300. Berger also reported that their insurance carrier requires an impact zone for the playground equipment that could be about $2,000.
Repairs to the town pump was approved for a cost of $1,500. The work will be done by Mark’s Masonry.
Replacement flooring from Creative Creations at the main pavilion in the town park and at McBride’s Park was approved at a cost of $6,100. The council was unanimous in approving the installation of metal bathroom partitions, including doors, for $2,091.21. The materials will be purchased from Mid-City Supply and the installation could be done by the town’s maintenance.
Approval was given for the hire of a full-time replacement employee for the waste water department. It was noted that they have only had one applicant at this point.
The three council members reviewed a notice for a public auction for the property recently cleared by the town at 308 E. Center St. Confirmation of the time, place and requirements for purchase will be made available as soon as the final details have been established.
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