Downtown Revitalization Study

Perry Thatcher, 605 DaVinci Drive, remarked that he does have power but no TV at

this time. He felt Leslie’s remarks were a very good idea. He has for fifteen years

worked to re-energize the downtown. There is money available for doing things

downtown. There are benefits for keeping Swallen’s and the garage. He has been

talking to people and at the present time has two persons interested in the Swallen’s

Building and parking garage. When Council went into discussions about demolition,

there was a lot of money going into the Swallen’s Bldg. for upkeep. Now that’s not

the case. For the garage, you can take the elevators out of service and make the

garage one level. Virtually close off the stairways and close upper floors and

eliminate extra costs you have there. He has talked to business and educational

facilities and he says it’s going to take time to bring Middletown back. If there is

money available for demolition of Swallen’s and the parking garage, that money

could much better be used. Hundreds of thousands have attended the Broad Street

Bash downtown. We need to watch what we spend the money on and focus on

bringing more money downtown. Costs can be cut. There are people that would

take over keeping the Swallen’s and downtown garage going until we find a use. It’s

an important feature in what they do. Several new businesses are opening in the

downtown in the next three months. He asked Council not to be impatient and throw

good money after bad.

When asked what types of ideas these businesses that are interested have. Mr.

Thatcher responded something of quality. You have to structure the downtown with

good businesses. Some are in the educational field. He could not reveal who at this

time. They’ve been to City and talking to the City Manager and Economic

Development people. He advised waiting six months to a year’s time, if we don’t put

something together, then demolish after that time.

Mr. Marconi said he has been real vocal about the structures needing to come

down. We couldn’t even give the building away but we were asking for 100 jobs. He

thinks its blight. The reuse is questionable because of the way it’s constructed. He’s

open for suggestion and grateful for Mr. Thatcher’s presence downtown. Unless

there is something on the table, a viable proposal, he thinks council should proceed

with getting rid of it. It’s been empty 10-12 years. Council is open for any proposals

that will bring jobs to our city.

Mr. Thatcher said look at all the other vacant buildings downtown. Put them on a

scale and put priority on the ones that need to come down first. If you tear it down

and don’t have someone to take it, it’s of no use. We have a multitude of empty

buildings downtown. When he brings people to town, Swallens is the only building

that people have said they could use. There’s a Dayton business he has spoken to

that’s interested, but it will take time. You don’t see a condemned sign on Swallen’s

and there are several condemned signs on buildings downtown. He would like to

come back in several months. He has a plan on how to see the money that would be

spent on demolition. But, it’s council’s decision. He has been there since the start

and is still there and wants to see something good happen there. If you have money

to throw away, tear it down. That’s not the best use of funds. Our focal point in

Middletown is Governor’s Square. People will come there.

Mr. Armbruster agreed waiting another six months would not hurt anything. He

said just because Mr. Thatcher has been a major investor in the downtown, and the

building has been sitting 10-12 years, it could sit another six months. The update on

the Paducah trip had a proposal on the floor to look at attracting people downtown.

He’d like to see what these people bring back to the table. He would not want to

hastily tear something down that might have a use in the future. He’d like to wait.

Mr. Marconi said he’s open. He’s for good government. Taking the roof off the

garage will take a ¼ million dollars. In essence we’re going to subsidize a company

to come here. Being government, if something didn’t work, our million dollars is shot

down the tubes, and you still have a blighted garaged.

Mr. Mulligan asked for clarification on the investment from the City.

Mr. Thatcher responded if you want to spend money, there are a lot better uses

to spending the money than demolition of the Swallen’s Bldg.

Mr. Mulligan said we are certainly interested in entertaining a proposal for using

it. There has been some period of inaction in the past.

Mr. Thatcher said he won’t be bringing a proposal tomorrow. It will take some

time. People that he is working with are giving it consideration. If the Swallen’s

Bldg. and garage are gone, those people are gone too.

Mr. Schiavone said the City has been struggling for a number of years. A year

ago council gave direction to staff to find out how much it would take to tear down

those structures. Council hasn’t seen those figures yet. He asked the manager to

bring real numbers on what it will take to bring down Swallen’s and the garage.

Ms. Gilleland said staff does have estimates, but no proposals. The estimates

are around 2 million dollars.

Mr. Mulligan asked if council were interested in seeing a bid and comparison for

the alternatives with a time frame. Is six months a reasonable time?

Mr. Armbruster advised that there also is a new committee looking at proposals

for downtown; let them come back with some options.

Mr. Becker said some good points have been made. If we tear it down, we’ll

never know. If moth balled indefinitely, it will deteriorate more. Also, Mr. Thatcher is

a major investor. Council has waited this long and are willing to wait a while longer.

Mr. Marconi questioned the 2 million dollar figure for demolitions. It’s one thing to

just say a figure, but when you get to nuts and bolts, he wants to see quotes. He

doesn’t want a wild guess. The City could get a couple of estimates. He’s willing to

listen and he’s open to suggestions. He praised Mr. Thatcher for what he’s done in

the City.

Mr. Thatcher said he’s concerned about the entire downtown, not just what the

city owns. There are others that need estimates for demolition. When a City shrinks,

shrink with it. There’s nothing wrong with having green spaces. He can identify

about six buildings in a four block area that would be much better and cost less to

take down and tie together that 4 block area.

Mr. Armbruster explained that was one of the issues talked about a month ago.

Looking at those same issues and looking at buildings that needs to go. A building

was donated during a recent meeting.

Ms. Gilleland said Council can stretch the dollars across the whole downtown.

There are things Council needs to be aware of and will need discussion during

budget time. The parking garage costs about $75,000 per year in subsidies.

Swallen’s is a moth ball operation; the utilities are $46,000 per year. If we continue

to allow parking, we need to keep some utilities on. If we have a couple million

bucks in the Downtown Fund, do we spend it in other areas or hold off to use on