The Plymouth City Council members were presented with proposed projects for the Northern Indiana Regional Development Authority’s list of projects for the READI 2.0 grant funding initiative of which Marshall County is a partner.
The renovation of the old Montgomery Ward building on N. Michigan Street is one of the proposed projects. The building currently houses the recently-moved Heartland Art Center. The renovation of the basement, main floor, second floor, and mezzanine will allow for more space for gallery presentation, along with a sensory room, rental office space, a coffee bar/lounge, gift shop, and many classes that feature ceramics, 2D/Fine Art, fabrics and mixed media, video production and audio/visual training, metalworking, woodworking, kids summer programs, and entrepreneurship work spaces. There would be studio space for artists to work and the second floor could house live music or a meeting space for any event. The building would become a regional art hub which would drive tourists and artists from all around the region and country.
The total anticipated cost of the project is $8,239,100.
A housing project is the second proposed project for READI 2.0 funds which would feature single-family, duplex, and multi-family housing, along with mixed-use commercial at Liberty Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. Also, it would include a single-family residential development east of Angel and Bayless Streets and north of Lemler Lane.
The construction would include 25 units of 1 bedroom apartments, 5 units of 2 bedroom apartments, 24 units of 2 bedroom duplexes, and 49 units of single-family housing.
There would be 4,500 square feet of commercial space and a community center and a long-term development area for consideration in the future.
The total anticipated cost of the project is $31,160,400.
In all, the total request in city funds is around $7 million. There will also be private donations that will be included separately in the costs to go along with any READI 2.0 funds that may be awarded.
City Attorney Jeff Houin stressed that these projects are simply concepts at this time. As for finding the funding for these projects, that work is still being determined. There is no commitment at this time, but he asked the council for support for these projects and to work with partners in order to work toward making the projects happen, if the projects are awarded READI 2.0 funding. The application is due August 30.
The council voted unanimously to approve a resolution that shows support for the projects.
