OCRA Awards $700K for Repairs on Historic Structures
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The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs has awarded over $700,000 in grants to 11 historic properties through the state’s Historic Renovation Grant Program. The recipients range from a specialty museum to older factories undergoing restoration for new uses.
OCRA says eligible properties for the program must be at least 50 years old and either listed on the register of Indiana historic sites and structures, be listed or eligible for listing to the National Register of Historic Places, or be listed as a contributing resource in a National Register District.
Awarded properties will receive funding for the renovation and preservation of exterior features.
“These Historic Renovation Grant Program projects will make a lasting impact on their local communities and on our state,” said OCRA Executive Director Denny Spinner. “These 11 properties will preserve the history of Indiana while supporting local economic development.”
The following projects were awarded:
- Odd Fellows Building in Salem, built in 1897, was awarded $100,000 for a renovation to convert it into a multi-use building, including an event center, office space and potential restaurant.
- Ernie Pyle World War II Museum in Dana received $26,400 for exterior restoration of the birthplace of the noted Indiana journalist.
- Honeywell Plumbing and Heating Building in Wabash, built in the early 1900’s, received approximately $28,000 for renovations.
- Auburn Automotive Company Administration Building in Auburn received $100,000 for roof repairs of the auto museum.
- Hong Kong Kitchen in Madison was awarded $28,000 for restoration work on the Italianate structure. The funding will help repair the historic wood windows and install exterior storm windows to preserve the original windows and prolong their life.
- Englewood CDC and the John Boner Neighborhood Centers are awarded $85,000 to stabilize the 100-year-old, 140-foot tall chimney on the PR Mallory Company Factory Smokestack campus to ensure it remains an integral part of this historic campus on the eastside of Indy.
- ANCO Revitalization, LLC is awarded $100,000 to rehabilitate the exterior of one of the four buildings of the former ANCO Factory in Valparaiso that was built in 1945. Part of the structure will be used by Journeyman Distillery Complex.
- The 601 Preservation LLC and the Willkie family are awarded $29,120 to preserve the Wendell Lewis Willkie home in Rushville. The Willkie home was built in 1876. The home will become a gathering place and possible bed and breakfast inn.
- The RomWeber Marketplace is awarded $79,000 for the preservation of this historic landmark in Batesville that dates to 1863. The Marketplace is home to approximately 40 small dealers housed under one roof, along with a wedding venue and four retail and office locations.
- The Keller Huff Group is awarded $85,000 to renovate and preserve The Prewitt Theater in Plainfield. The theater opened in November of 1927 and was used as a movie theater until it closed its doors in 2005. The Keller Huff Group is renovating and restoring the theater into an upscale restaurant and event center
- The Nohr Building, built in 1875 as a hotel and located in Jasper, is awarded $51,671 to restore the original lapboard sliding façade and the storefront. Three housing units will be created, supporting the city’s need for short-term housing.
“In its fifth year, the Historic Renovation Grant Program has transitioned to become a competitive grant program rather than first-come, first-served, to best support critical preservation efforts throughout the state,” said Andrea Kern, OCRA director of strategic initiatives. “We are excited for the potential of these projects to continue a legacy throughout the state.”
The Historic Renovation Grant Program received more than 50 applications with requests totaling over $3.2 million. Click here to get full descriptions about the projects.