Historical significance of Huntingburg home highlighted as city considers demolition

The Huntingburg Common Council heard from several advocates for historical preservation in light of a plan to demolish a home at 405 North Main Street to create more parking for the Fourth Street.

The process began last November when the property owner approached the city to see if they were interested in purchasing the property. Seeing a way to use the property for additional parking, the city completed the required appraisals and the council approved the purchase price of $155,250 in December.

At Tuesday’s regular Common Council meeting, Greg Sekula, Regional Director for Indiana Landmarks, explained the Huntingburg home is one of 103 contributing resources in an area that could be included in the National Registry of Historic Places.

“Buildings that are considered outstanding, notable or contributing are buildings that contribute to the historic character of the neighborhood and are considered significant structures for telling the story and establishing the character of the neighborhoods,” Sekula said.

He added that Huntingburg has done a good job of maintaining the character of the downtown and neighborhoods around the city. “You don’t have a large number of vacant lots and parking lots that erode that character,” Sekula said.

However, Main Street has not escaped the impact of the demolished buildings and large parking lots. Sekula pointed to a the parking lot south of Fourth Street as well as the parking lots and vacant lots on the west side of North Main Street up to the intersection with State Road 64/East Sixth Street.

“The block on the 400 block of Main is one of your strongest blocks and from an architectural standpoint, that really helps to establish the character of your downtown area,” he said about the row of homes on the east side of Main just north of Fourth Street.

He said these types of structures can entice visitors to the downtown area.

Sekula said that while the house isn’t attractive due to obvious wear and tear, it is in good condition. He was surprised to find that behind the aluminum siding and a layor of wood siding, the first floor walls are brick.

“Structurally, I found the building to be in very good condition. And I’ve worked with a lot of buildings over the last 20 years, many of which were in very poor condition that we’ve been able to save,” he said. “But this building is really in very good shape, overall.”

He estimates the first floor of the home was built around 1865 with the second floor added sometime in the 1930s or early 1940s.

“This building has a story to tell, and I think could very well be one of the earliest structures in the community,” Sekula said. “Given its close proximity to the center of town that would certainly support that that theory.”

“The building is a candidate for preserving,” he added.

Sekula has experience as a municipal planner and working with Huntingburg’s municipal code in regards to parking, he estimated leaving the home standing on the lot would only reduce the number of parking spaces by about four to six. He told the council that by his measurements, they could fit 38 parking spaces in the lot attached to the home.

“You’ve paid $155,250 for the property. If you demolish the building, that’s at least another $10,000, maybe more,” he said. “Assuming a $10,000 demolition, you are about $4,000 per parking space … and you have not even developed the parking lot.”

He suggested the city could find creative alternatives instead of demolishing the home adding that the location was ideal for a café or a restaurant.

“Offer a very attractive lease arrangement with someone to entice them to put a business in there,” Sekula suggested adding the business could agree to take on the renovation of the building as part of the agreement with the city.

“I just urge you to not demolish the building and to look at ways of saving this because it’s part of your heritage,” he said. “Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever. We can’t can’t bring it back.”

Joe Rohleder spoke in support of saving the home as well. He and his wife Judy have invested in restoring several buildings on Fourth Street since 1995.

Councilman Jeff Bounds said he and other council members hear about the lack of parking on Fourth Street on a regular basis.

“I mean this with all due respect. I don’t have your expertise. I didn’t see what you all saw (in the home),” Bounds said. “I thank you for coming and at least illuminating what that building…could be.”

But, he added that the council’s number one motivation in this process is to alleviate the perceived parking issue.

“I can imagine it would take a lot of a lot of money, a lot of effort to bring that building up to a stature where people would drive by and say, ‘Wow, look at that,'” Bounds said.

Referencing Sekula’s suggestion, Bounds stated he didn’t think the city wanted to be in the leasing business.

“To change our decision, I think we are going to need more information,” Bounds said. “We need more ideas. We need more money.”

Christine Prior, who served as the Huntingburg Chamber director about 14 years ago, agreed that the number one complaint has always been parking. She said the city could do better by adding signage pointing to parking in the area as well as create better connectivity between Memorial Gym and the downtown area.

Councilman Steve McPherron asked about potential grants or money available to study the issue or save the property.

“In historical preservation, there is money for that,” Prior said. “There is no money for parking lots.”

Sekula agreed saying there may be grants available for planning to save the home while addressing the parking needs. He also offered help in coming up with creative solutions for the home.

Huntingburg Mayor Steve Schwinghamer said that even though the decision to demolish the home had already been approved by the council, they didn’t have to immediately act on it. He said the council could explore other options but he recommended tabling the issue for now.

No action was taken by the council in regards to the property.

---

-The council also approved a plan for the America Rescue Plan Act funds. The plan currently has the money funding 11 projects but these could change.

• $100,000 in matching funds for the grant for the new senior center on the St. Joseph’s Hospital property. The small building on the west side of the property was identified as an option for a dedicated senior center, but the city was having issues completing the purchase since the owner, Dr. Ijaz Mahmood, was in Pakistan. During the meeting, the council heard the purchase had been completed.
• $290,000 for renovations to League Stadium.
• $20,000 for the demolition of the home at 405 N. Main Street.
• $275,000 for construction and paving of the parking lot at 407 N. Jackson.
• $250,000 for stormwater repair and paving of the alley south of the United Methodist Church running parallel to Fourth Street.
• $18,000 for ADA compliant furniture for Utility Billing Office.
• $262,000 to Community Crossing Grant matching funds.
• $13,000 for an emergency generator for City Hall.
• $40,000 for waterline repair and replacement projects on Second Street and First Avenue.
• $27,653 for sidewalk projects
• $100,000 for paving the alley connecting Fourth Street to Fifth Street (Memorial Gym) The city is applying for a grant to cover the balance of this project.

-The council also heard from Drew Englert who suggested the city add the available parking onto a visitor map for the city that would be accessible on mobile devices.

Jeff Bounds — when I took a tour of the building, I didn’t see what you all saw in the building and I imagine it would take a lot of money and effort to get the building up to where…

I thank you for coming and illuminating the possibility of what the building the could be,

One of the biggest complaints I hear is about parking on Fourth Street,” Our motivation was to try to alleviate that problem We aren’t anti historic…

“We have ways to overcome the argument but we hear it all the time,” I am not sure what to do with it. The city doesn’t want to be in the rental business, the leasing business, I think to change our minds we will need more input, more ideas and more money…

Creative opportunities,

What could you fit behind the building, lose 4 to 6 parking spaces, I calculated about 42 parking spaces, you might be 38 if you leave the house where it is.

Councilman Steve McPherron asked if there were grants available to support studies to determine what to do with the home.

Drew Englert from Jasper, a directory for parking could be created for the city to help visitors find parking spaces.

Council approved the ARPA spending plan. funds have been d