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New owner plans storefront restoration at 221 East Main; committee scores project eligible for recommendation
Summary
Austin Ketchum, new owner of 221 East Main, presented plans to rehabilitate a long-vacant storefront and upper floor; the committee assigned the project a score above the stated minimum and included it among eligible projects for recommendation.
Austin Ketchum told the PACE Review Committee on July 15 he purchased 221 East Main on June 4 and is proposing a renovation of the long-vacant building to revive a ground-floor business and possibly add residential space upstairs.
"...the whole front facade, we're looking at redoing, in terms of... tuckpointing, brickwork," Ketchum said, adding that windows, gutters, electrical, plumbing and some foundation and joist work are needed. He told the committee he has been in contact with local preservation contractors to prepare plans and comply with city and state codes.
Staff read the committee's tally: 221 East Main scored 39.33 against a stated minimum of 36, placing it above the committee's threshold for recommendation. Ketchum said he has been speaking with potential business tenants for the first floor and may convert the second floor to residential use.
The committee and staff discussed the building's long vacancy (Ketchum estimated the last business closed around 2005 or 2006) and noted the property was previously flagged as unsafe; Ketchum said city staff had inspected the structure and provided guidance on needed repairs. Committee members described the project as an important contribution to Main Street revitalization.
Ending: Ketchum declined to attend in person for scoring; staff said they would call applicants with their scores the next day and include this project in the recommendation packet to the Board of Public Works.
