Program would help storefronts

Clark County

Discussion

December 12, 2009

Revolving loans, grants could be used to improve facades along Eastern Boulevard

By DAVID A. MANN The News and Tribune Sat Dec 12, 2009, 05:54 PM EST

Though resurfacing work on Clarksville’s Eastern Boulevard likely won’t wrap up for another six months, officials are already mulling the next steps in a redevelopment effort along the road.

A proposed program for the street would improve the look of facades through the use of grants or revolving loans. The Clarksville Redevelopment Commission is considering applying for an up to $50,000 planning grant from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development in order to fund the program. Redevelopment Director Rick Dickman said state-distributed economic development income tax money could be used as well.

Since the Eastern Boulevard redevelopment project began, town leaders have been working on improving more than just the road’s surface, said Dickman.

“Anything we can do — from the town’s prospective — to help smaller business look better helps every other business,” Dickman said, adding that it would make the area “look more modern, neater.”

Modernization is one of the primary goals of the work that’s been ongoing on Eastern Boulevard, as the road has been under construction since mid-2008. That project will widen the road with a new turning lane and add sidewalks, landscaping and new lighting. The project is costing the town about $5 million — a price tag that includes about $1 million in property acquisition.

It’s the first time the road has had a major resurfacing in about 20 years.

Clarksville grant writer Brittany Montgomery said the grant process will help town officials determine the scope of work for the project and how much of a return on investment can be expected.

She noted that the town would have to put up at least 10 percent of whatever is received from the federal grant. On the state level, the grant would be administered by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs.

Further, Montgomery said, town officials would be working with business owners and the Clarksville Main Street Association to make sure they have a say in the process.

Shannon Kopf, owner of SK Signs, said that the look of properties has gone back and fourth since her business located there in 2000. This year, there’s been some definitive improvements because some property owners have invested in their businesses.

Kopf, secretary for Clarksville Main Street, said she supports the program, noting that it could add appeal for families coming to the area.

Other town officials are supportive as well.

“If it helps our business to stay here, that’s what I want,” said Greg Isgrigg, president of the Clarksville Town Council and redevelopment commission member.

However, he said, town officials first need to look into the payback it would bring in the form of tax dollars to the area.

The city of Jeffersonville has a revolving loan program that it uses to foster development in older, downtown buildings.

Dickman estimates that if Clarksville successfully obtains the federal grant, the facade improvement program would likely be up and running by next summer, around the time the road work is expected to be completed.