DOWNTOWN NEWS

Gov. Matt Blunt visited Chillicothe today (Thursday) to announce that the city has been chosen to participate in the 2007 DREAM Initiative. A large crowd of community leaders and residents joined the governor on the west side of the Livingston County Courthouse to hear Blunt¹s remarks congratulating the city of Chillicothe on its DREAM designation. Mayor Chuck Haney gave the introduction during the ceremony this morning.

"We've brought the governor downtown because this is where it is happening," the mayor said. "This is preserving and this is revitalizing historic downtown Chillicothe." "It is good to see so many community leaders," Blunt said today. "This (DREAM) should indeed help with efforts that are clearly underway to revitalize this downtown."

Blunt's DREAM (Downtown Revitalization and Economic Assistance for Missouri) Initiative helps communities more efficiently and effectively engage in downtown redevelopment and revitalization efforts. "We are extremely pleased to be receiving the DREAM for our dedication and hard work in the revitalization and rehabilitation of downtown Chillicothe," said Garni Churan, acting director of Main Street Chillicothe and writer of the grant. "The downtown district in any community is the most visible indicator of community pride. The DREAM Initiative verifies the significance and necessity of establishing a progressive downtown development plan for all communities." Churan also extended gratitude to the community members attending today's ceremony. "Everything you see around you is a result of our downtown revitalization plan," she said. "Thanks for making a commitment to downtown Chillicothe and making it a success."

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Local artist Kelly Poling works on painting a mural on the south side of Medicine Creek Trading Co. at 801 Elm Street on Thursday, July 26, 2007. The outdoor-themed mural depicts a scene which includes the likeness of the old trestle bridge, now gone, as one would have seen it looking south up the Grand River. The bridge was located two miles west of Chillicothe and was considered one of the biggest bridges over the Grand River in the area. The mural is the 15th for Chillicothe and measures 12x70 feet. Poling said the mural will wrap around the building and will be continued to its west side. There, the mural will measure 12x20'. The mural, which is funded by the Chillicothe Development Corporation, will include a variety of wildlife, including: grey herring, deer, raccoon, turtles, turkeys, bobcats, and mountain lions. The mural will also feature children fishing and duck hunters in a boat.

C-T Photo, Laura Schuler

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The efforts of Main Street Chillicothe over the past year has earned its recognition for commercial district revitalization by meeting standards for performance set by the National Trust for Historic Preservation's National Main Street Center. Main Street Chillicothe joins 625 other Main Street revitalization programs nationally recognized as 2006 Accredited National Main Street Programs.

“The National Accreditation means the Main Street program is meeting our national standards of performance for what a Main Street program should be doing,” said Doug Loescher, director of the National Trust's Main Street Center. “The organizations we name each year as National Main Street Programs are those that have demonstrated the skills needed to succeed in Main Street revitalization.”

The annual accreditation process evaluates commercial district revitalization programs based on criteria ranging from having an active board of directors and paid professional manager to tracking economic progress and preserving historic Main Street buildings.

“Rebuilding a district's economic health and maintaining that success requires broad-based community involvement, active support from both the public and private sectors, and sound management,” said Loescher. “Having a solid organization at the foundation of that revitalization effort is so important to long term success.” The organization's performance was evaluated by Sheri Stuart, from the National Main Street Program, which is the coordinating organization for Main Street programs in Missouri.

According to local Main Street Director, Pam Jarding, the downtown has undergone “a wonderful look over the past year.” “A look that draws attention to its beauty and also to the businesses within the historical downtown,” Jarding said “Our facade renovation program has been a huge success with a lot of thanks going to the particular business owners that take pride in how their businesses look and to CDC (Chillicothe Development Corporation) that has set aside monies in their budget to make this matching grants program possible.” “CDC is a remarkable organization that has helped with economic development in our community, as well as helped organizations such as Main Street offer assistance to businesses in promoting downtown revitalization.”

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A mural showcasing Chillicothe's historical mural program and its sliced bread history is taking shape on the west side of the building housing The Clipper on Washington Street, north of the Livingston County Courthouse. Local artist Kelly Poling advises the mural will measure 27 by 45 feet when completed and will depict Locust Street as it looked around the turn of the century.

Photo by Butch Shaffer 08 03 06
Click on image for closer view.

"This mural is going to be really cool," Poling said, adding that the mural's two vanishing points and the sliced bread logo will catch the eye of almost anyone traveling either direction along Washington Street. Specifically, Poling said, the mural will show Chillicothe as someone would have viewed it around 1900 standing in the middle of Locust Street, looking south from a location between Calhoun and Webster Streets. He noted that there will be store fronts on either side and a horse by a post on the mural's right side. The left side of the mural will feature a horse-drawn wagon and the sliced bread logo will be in the middle. "In this mural will be lots of grays and brick reds and some yellows," Poling said.

The Chillicothe Rotary Foundation, the Chillicothe Development Corporation, and the building's owner, Jerry BeVelle of Springfield, Missouri, all contributed funds for the mural as did the Home of Sliced Bread Committee. Amy Supple of the Greater Chillicothe Visitor's Region advised that the mural will showcase "our wonderful historical mural program and our sliced bread history and heritage which are two of our biggest attractions."

The sliced bread mural will make the 13th historical mural completed in downtown Chillicothe. Main Street Chillicothe is the overseeing organization of the Chillicothe mural project and takes care of the upkeep and maintenance of the murals.

CAPTION: A mural depicting Midland Brick and Tile Company was recently finished by Kelly Poling. The mural serves as a tribute to Sherwood Patek and his wife, Jean, who owned the company at one time and who were instrumental in developing the Chillicothe mural project. C-T Photo/Megan Neis

Another mural has been completed in Chillicothe and, this time, the artwork is in honor of a Chillicothe man who originally saw the vision for the Chillicothe mural project. The mural, which appears on the south side of the Livingston Co. TV and Appliance building on Elm Street, depicts the Midland Brick and Tile Company in Utica, formerly owned by Sherwood Patek. Local artist Kelly Poling painted the mural which measures 25 feet by 100 feet. It took him about five weeks to complete and he finished last week, just days before Patek died at the age of 83.

Midland Brick and Tile Company began as Meek Brick Plant in the early 1900s. From 1912 until 1930 it operated as Shale Hill Brick and Tile Company and from 1930 until 1935, the company was out of operation. Patek's father, Harry, purchased the plant in 1935 and became president of Midland Brick and Tile until 1958. From this time until 1988, Sherwood operated the plant until it was sold to Glen-Gery Brick in 1988. The plant officially closed in 2003. Patek and his wife, Jean, were instrumental in helping develop the mural project in Chillicothe, and this mural serves as a tribute to the Pateks.

According to the director of Main Street Chillicothe, she was approached by Patek's daughter, Debbie Patek Forsythe. “She wanted to know if the family could pay for a mural in honor of Sherwood and Jean Patek,” she explained. Main Street Chillicothe officials began looking for an appropriate wall for the mural and searching for a picture of which the mural would depict.

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Main Street Strum & Stroll

2007 Event Photos... Click for a closer view.

Strum and Stroll Attracts Large Crowd Downtown
By LAURA SCHULER/C-T City Editor, Monday, October 9, 2006

CAPTION: Downtown Chillicothe came alive with music and entertainment Saturday afternoon when Main Street Chillicothe and the Chillicothe Area Arts Council hosted Strum and Stroll. The day featured musical entertainment, artist exhibits and hands-on children's arts and theatre activities. The event is hoped to be held annually. C-T Photos/Catherine Stortz Ripley

Over 800 people of all ages attended this weekend's Strum and Stroll held around the courthouse square and event organizers have declared the first-ever event a success. “We had more people than we expected for our first-time event,” Main Street Chillicothe Director Garni Churan said this (Monday) morning. She added, “We are very pleased with the turnout.”

The event, which was held on Jackson Street from Washington to Locust Street, Locust Street from Jackson to Webster Street and Webster Street from Washington to Locust Street, featured a variety of entertainment and activities for the entire family. The event was sponsored by Main Street Chillicothe, the Missouri Arts Council, Midwest Quality Gloves, Citizens Bank & Trust, Bank Midwest, Chillicothe State Bank, Investor's National bank, Farmer's Electric Cooperative and the Rotary Foundation.

Churan reported that three bands played throughout the afternoon including, “Steel,” a percussion band of members from Kansas City and St. Joseph, the Chris Talley Trio, a bluegrass band from St. Louis, and the Dustin Thomas Band, featuring Chillicothe native, Dustin Thomas. The group performed blues music. “The entertainment was very well received,” Churan said. She added that approximately 200 people attended each performance with a different crowd for each show.

The Strum and Stroll also featured an arts and crafts area for children between 3 and 14 years-old. In the area, children made tambourines, “crazy” hats made from Constitution-Tribune newspaper and stained glass candle holders. Churan said that there were around 500 children participating in the arts and crafts area, which was staffed by volunteers. The Strum and Stroll also featured an interactive art theater, headed by event volunteer Sue Bachman. The theater was based on Aesop's Fables and Churan said there were three showings throughout the day.

Main Street Chillicothe and The Chillicothe Area Arts Council are proud to present the first inaugural Main Street Strum & Stroll in downtown Chillicothe on October 7, 2006, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.! We wish to extend an invitation to all fine artists in our area to exhibit and display their work at this first time downtown visual arts festival!

The focus of Main Street Strum & Stroll is fine visual arts and fine crafts. Artists will be selected by a jurying committee. All works submitted and exhibited must be original executions of the applicant. Buy/Sell items, or commercially produced items are prohibited. All Spaces are approximately 10’ x10’ in a street festival area. Fee is $25 with application. Electricity is not available. This is an outdoor festival with no alternative location or date. Tents must be set up without the use of stakes. Bring weights in case of wind.

Dates to Remember:

• Application Deadline: September 1, 2006
• Festival Date: October 7, 2006
• Festival Hours: 10:00 to 6:00

In addition to fine arts, Main Street Strum & Stroll will feature live entertainment, a children’s interactive art & theatre area and delicious food!

Download a Strum & Stroll application here.

Download Adobe Reader FREE.

Please include with application:

• Check for booth space(s) (checks will be returned if not accepted) made payable to LCCDC.
• At least 3 photographs of your artwork
• Self-addressed stamped envelope

Mail to Crystal Narr 
LCCDC, PO BOX 1122
Chillicothe, MO 64601

Questions?
Call Pam or Garni @ 660–646-4071
mschilli@greenhills.net

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CAPTION: The Chillicothe railroad depot, located at 1 Elm Street will be leased to Wabash BBQ, L.L.C. and a major renovation project is planned for the site, ending with the opening of the second Wabash BBQ restaurant there. City officials have been looking for ways to salvage the depot which has come to disrepair over the years. The city will lease the property to Wabash BBQ and has offered a 10-year, $100,000 low interest loan to Wabash BBQ L.L.C., with those funds coming from the city's economic development fund. The city has also agreed to build a public parking lot at the site. The old freight house (pictured at left in the background), will be used as a smokehouse and for refrigeration. C-T Photo/Laura Schuler

The old train depot in Chillicothe will soon be the site of a major renovation project and the doors to a new barbeque restaurant with a railroad theme will open there when the work is complete. Mayor Todd Rodenberg announced today (Wednesday) that the 3,100 square-foot depot, located at 1 Elm Street, will be leased to Wabash BBQ, L.L.C., owned by Jim McCullough and Mitchell Dickey, of Wabash BBQ in Excelsior Springs, Mo. The restaurant, which will also be named Wabash BBQ, is slated to be open by September or October. The contract, which was to be signed later today, authorizes the lease of the property for $300 per month for 20 years with an option to buy after six years.

The city is also offering a low interest loan of $100,000 to be paid over 10 years to Wabash BBQ. Those funds, according to City Clerk Roze Frampton, will be paid using the city's MoDAG money which is earmarked for economic development.

The city has been looking for ways to rehabilitate the depot and preserve its historical significance over the past several years. The city acquired the property over two years ago from Green Hills Rural Development and since then only minor and necessary repairs have been made to the building. The depot is currently used for office space by Motive Rail Co., which has contracted with the city to conduct railroad operations. Motive Rail will now relocate to a new location, city officials say.

“We had exhausted every possibility for grants (to restore the depot) and there's just nothing out there,” Rodenberg said today, adding that in it's current condition, the depot would likely last only a few more years before it would have to be razed.

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Main Street Chillicothe Partners With Historic Building Owner
Wednesday, May 24, 2006

CAPTION: Lin Thieme of Xtreme Gutters and Jason Pennington were busy installing windows on the first floor of the building at 718 Washington Street on Friday. According to building owner James Shiflett, of Shiflett Enterprises, the building will feature an entirely new facade. The project is being done through a partnership with the Chillicothe Main Street program's facade renovation program. C-T Photo/Laura Schuler

The facade of Shiflett Ventures, LLC at 718 Washington Street is getting a fresh new look and according to building owner James Shiflett, the building will soon feature a new coat of paint, new windows on both floors and a new 6-by-6 foot awning along with a new metal facade and new stone under the new existing windows. “We'll have new doors and windows - we're just totally redoing the exterior of the building,” Shiflett said.

The work is being done through a partnership with Main Street Chillicothe and participation in it's facade renovation program. “As more business owners participate (in the program), more business owners have become interested in it,” Jarding explained.

In its third year, the program has made a noticeable difference in the look of downtown Chillicothe. In fact, according to Jarding, there are at least four businesses scheduled for facade renovations through the program next year, providing they meet the necessary criteria. Jarding said that over the past three years the facades of at least 11 downtown businesses have been refurbished.

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Standing Flower Baskets Compliments of Main Street Chillicothe
Caption & Photo by Paul Sturm, C-T, May 10, 2006

City Street Department workers were busy along Washington Street installing 10 standing flower baskets. The baskets were purchased with funds from a $5,000 Dobson Cellular One grant written by Main Street Chillicothe. Main Street Chillicothe officials report that a total of 25 baskets filled with a variety of petunias will be installed in the downtown area, specifically from City Hall to Clay Street on Washington Street and along both sides of the Livingston County Courthouse square. Main Street officials noted that all of the funds from the grant were used on the baskets with labor donated by the City Street Department, the fabrication of the poles donated by Lee Caughron's welding class at the Grand River Tech School and the flowers planted by Clemens Greenhouse & Floral. The remaining 15 baskets will be installed before the Memorial Day weekend, organizers say.

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Main Street Chillicothe Unveils Plaque Program
C-T Article by Laura Schuler, City Editor
Friday, March 31, 2006

Thirteen of Chillicothe's oldest buildings are now sporting bronze plaques as part of a Main Street Chillicothe project designed to draw attention to the town's historic buildings and increase the number of historic building owners participating in the Main Street program.

According to Pam Jarding, former executive director of Main Street Chillicothe, two historical designations were given to the Chillicothe downtown area by the United States Department of the Interior National Park Service. The districts were established and then placed on the National Register of Historic Places in October 2002. “Main Street Chillicothe wanted to let people that live in Chillicothe, as well as those that visit our community, know about this honorable distinction. That is why we decided to adopt the plaque program so that ‘contributing buildings' could be so recognized.”

Contributing buildings in a historical district are those buildings that are at least 50 years old and have not had their facades totally slip-covered or altered to a modern architectural look. Jarding added that plans are also in the works to place a roadside marker on the Livingston County Courthouse lawn which draws attention to the town's two historic districts.

The Chillicothe Commercial Historic District consists of several blocks of primarily commercial properties covering approximately 6 1/2 acres. The Courthouse Square Historic District consists of several blocks of primarily commercial properties covering approximately 8 1/2 acres. 

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The Chillicothe Commerce Center and several other downtown businesses are now sporting flower pots outside their stores thanks to a Main Street Chillicothe downtown beautification effort. Main Street pays for half of the cost while the businesses foot the other half of the cost. Thirty-seven (37) pots were distributed Friday, June 10, 2005.

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Facade Renovations & Needed Facelifts
By Laura Schuler, C-T City Editor

Four downtown buildings received a new look thanks to Main Street Chillicothe's facade renovation and improvement program.

Ed Robertson Investments & Insurance and Robertson Motor at 417 and 415 Locust Street are now sporting new awnings and signs, a fresh coat of paint and, according to Ed Robertson, who owns the properties with his wife, Patrice, new lighting will be installed under the canopies before work is totally finished.

Two storefronts in the 600 block of Washington Street, the buildings that house Friends at 608 Washington and the building that formerly housed Calico Pony at 612 Washington Street, were also renovated. Work involved repainting the buildings' facades and installing new awnings. Those buildings are owned by Ed Milbank.

Before the Renovations	After the Renovations
Calico Pony before and after  For details on the building above, click here.
Friends before and after
Ed Robertson Investments before and after
Robertson Motors before and after

Milbank and the Robertsons are among a growing number of downtown building owners who are taking advantage of Main Street's grant program which is designed to help property owners foot the bill associated with exterior renovations on their historic buildings. "It's a great program," Ed Robertson said. He noted that he and his wife decided to participate in the grant program to give their properties a new look to go along with the recent street and sidewalk refurbishment recently completed along Locust Street.

According to Jarding, Main Street, with funding from CDC, strives to create and maintain an attractive downtown by doing quality improvements to the exterior of downtown commercial buildings. Chillicothe's downtown is an important component and factor in the economic health of the greater Chillicothe community and is one of the key focal points of the community along with the City Hall, County Courthouse, County Library, three local banks, and various retail and service businesses that are located in a concentrated area.

The intent of the facade renovation and improvement program is to help strengthen the economic viability of the downtown and provide an opportunity to preerve the architectural integrity of downtown Chillicothe. "The best approach to attain these goals is through the renovation of the buildings existing architectural features," Jarding explained. Awnings are an important design element in the traditional storefronts. "Awnings provided cover, added color, and served as a transition between the storefront and the upper facade," Jarding said. The grant program was developed a few years ago through a joint partnership between the CDC and Main Street Chillicothe. It pays up to $5,000 in matching funds to qualifying business owners interested in renovating the facades of their historic buildings.

The Chillicothe Main Street Office received word today through Representative John Quinn's office that Main Street Chillicothe has been approved for $157,500 in state tax credits to support the day-to-day operations of the Main Street office July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2007.

The Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP), administered by the Missouri Department of Economic Development, awards the credits to not-for-profit organizations, which focus on restoring neighborhoods, downtowns and improving communities. The program is designed to assist not-for-profit organizations to raise private-sector funds by providing state tax credits to businesses that make contributions to approved community improvement projects. Private sector donors will receive a tax credit up to 70 percent of their donation for their contribution to our Main Street program.

The Chillicothe Main Street program is an initiative started by the Chillicothe Development Corporation in 2000. The CDC board also serves as the organization committee that oversees the day-to-day operations of the Main Street program and sees that adequate funding is in place to operate the office and assist with special project work that meets Main Street goals.

The Chillicothe Development Corporation has had a long history of supporting the redevelopment and preservation of downtown Chillicothe. CDC is a private community based corporation and, through its efforts to preserve the heritage of the community and buildings, CDC has sponsored general economic development downtown activities. During 1999, the CDC board funded a planning study seeking ideas to preserve and invigorate the Chillicothe downtown, which, many observed, was declining. After the consulting firm presented its findings to a group of about 40 interested persons, a Main Street task force was formed and a Main Street manager was hired.

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Main Street Hosts Market Analysis Workshop
C-T article June 16, 2005

The Chillicothe Main Street program hosted a statewide workshop for Missouri Main Street programs and interested communities in the Main Street revitalization process. The workshop was open to any community wanting to focus more on marketing small to mid-sized community downtowns and evaluating what these communities have to offer. The workshop was held on the 2nd floor of the Livingston County Library.

Kennedy Smith, former director of the National Trust Main Street Center, presented the market analysis workshop to Missouri Main Street communities. She is one of the nation's foremost experts on commercial district revitalization and a prominent spokesperson for environmentally sound community development. She currently serves as executive director of the League of Historic American Theatres, the only national nonprofit organization dedicated to the rescue, revitalization, and management of historic theatres.

The one-day session provided an overview of the market analysis process for older and historic Main Streets and described ways to use market information to create successful promotional events, craft long-range strategic plans, and raise money to support the revitalization initiative. 

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Open house held for Strand Apartments
Friday, October 21, 2005 C-T Story

Many city and county officials and community members attended the open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony held Thursday at the Strand Apartment complex.

The building, formerly The Strand Hotel, was historically renovated thanks to funding provided by the Missouri Housing Development Commission's Rental Housing Preservation Program which provides funding to developers for the acquisition and rehabilitation of rental housing for low and moderate income families. The developer for the project was Carlson Gardner Inc., of Springfield, Mo., and the apartment complex includes 29 one-bedroom units and three two-bedroom units. So far, the complex is about a third full. C-T Photo / Megan Neis

Click here to view more photos from the open house.

An open house and ribbon-cutting celebration was held October 20, 2005, at the Strand Apartment complex which was recently historically renovated. A large number of area citizens, including city and county officials, attended the event and took a tour of the new apartment building which has 29 one-bedroom units which rent for $335 a month and three two-bedroom units for $385 per month.

The renovation project cost around $5 million according to Tom Carlson, developer with Carlson Gardner Inc., which headed up the project. The renovation was part of the Missouri Housing Development Commission's Rental Housing Preservation Program which provides funding to developers for the acquisition and rehabilitation of rental housing for low- and moderate- income families.

The former ballroom of the Strand Hotel is now a gallery library where tenants can go to relax and part of the basement has been converted to an activity room which includes a kitchen and media center. The activity room can be used for tenants' functions and activities, and the community room is available for public use.

Diane Hamilton is managing the Strand Apartments and the leasing office is located near the main foyer. For more history on the Strand project, read below...

Renovation of old Strand Hotel on track
By MEGAN NEIS / C-T Staff Writer 10 07 05


Frame work on all floors of the old Strand Hotel is nearing completion and construction officials report that other work on the fourth floor has begun. The work is all part of a historic renovation of the old building which will eventually become affordable housing. By next summer, the affordable housing project should be completed. C-T Photo / Megan Neis

"Hard Hats Required" If you've driven down Washington Street lately, you may have noticed these words posted near the Strand Hotel, due to the beginning of demolition and construction phases of the hotel's renovation. Work has been underway at the old Strand Hotel for a couple of months now and officials report that by next summer, the historic renovation of the building should be complete and housing should be available.

The Strand Hotel was purchased by Carlson Gardner Inc. of Springfield in late February. Carlson Gardner is a company which develops single family and multi-family properties on a statewide basis with an emphasis in providing affordable housing. Not only will the hotel be transformed into affordable housing apartments, but the historic features of the old hotel will be preserved during the renovation process. Early this year, the Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) granted a $400,000 loan and $296,000 in tax credits to the Strand Hotel project from the Missouri Housing Trust Fund.

According to Tammy Creason, development project coordinator for Carlson Gardner, the project is on schedule and the company just recently received the approval from the Historic Preservation Department of National Parks Service. "We actually started the initial phases early this summer," Creason said. She added that preparations for the project several months before that. "It is plugging right along over there," Creason said. "A lot of interior work is coming together."

The scope of the project includes converting the 50 living units into affordable housing apartments. The end result will include 29, one-bedroom apartments with an anticipated rent of $335, and three, two-bedroom apartments with an anticipated rent of $385.

Construction of the project is being done by DCI Construction out of Springfield, Mo. and Creason reported that the physical construction is going well. "Everything is on schedule and it's just a matter of getting it back up and going."

Strand Hotel renovation nears completion
Wednesday, April 20, 2005, Laura Schuler, C-T

Caption: An extensive renovation and remodeling project that started in September 2004 at the Strand Hotel in Chillicothe is nearing completion and officials say that work there should be finished in July. When finished, there will be 29 one-bedroom apartments and three two-bedroom units available for rent.

C-T Photo/Laura Schuler

After eight months of extensive interior and exterior renovations, the $5 million renovation project is nearing completion. In fact, a pre-leasing process for interested renters will begin within the next 30 days according to Carlson Gardner Inc.

"That's where we start qualifying our residents - take deposits and hold units for people who would like to lease (a unit) before they become available," said Denise K. Ogan, development consultant for Carlson Gardner Inc. Carlson Gardner Inc., of Springfield, Mo., is part of a limited partnership comprised of Carlson Gardner Group and investment partners who own the historic building.

Work on the 80-year-old building is slated to be finished by July and 29 one-bedroom units and three two-bedroom units will be available for rent. Those apartments will run for $335 and $385 a month, respectively. Ogan reported that renovation work at the Strand Hotel has continued on schedule for the majority of the project. She said that work crews are currently replacing and repairing the roof and the interior of the building has been completely sheet rocked.

The pictures here are of the Strand Hotel, Chillicothe, Missouri. In addition to the hotel, the Strand features a family restaurant. enclosed parking garage, and apartment rentals. Established in 1925, it has been under its present ownership since 1978. The structure is a 25,000 square foot building listed as a National Historic Listing.

In October, 2003, Carlson Gardner, Inc. of Springfield submitted a low-interest loan request to the Missouri Housing Development Commission in order to purchase the Strand Hotel and convert it into rental apartment housing. An option-to-buy contract between Carlson Gardner and the owner was agreed upon in 2003; and in January 2004, the company was granted the low-interest loan. The official sale of the hotel was made March 1, 2004. The hotel renovation will include 29 one-bedroom apartments with anticipated rent of $310, and three 2-bedroom apartments with rent of $350. The project includes a lobby, a library area with computer access, laundry facilities and conference rooms, which can all be used by the tenants. Physical restoration should begin in July or August, 2004. The complete renovation is expected to take approximately a year and a half to complete.

The goal of the renovation is not just for senior housing, but is available for anyone who qualifies. Many items that have historical relevance to the building will be left. The renovation project is all part of the MHDC's Rental Housing Preservation Program which provides funding to developers for the acquisition and rehabilitation of rental housing for low and moderate income families. The Strand Hotel first opened its doors in 1925. 

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Palace of Fashion mural in development...

Local artist Kelly Poling works on a new mural on the side of Parks Shoes at 701 Webster Street on Thursday. The mural is being funded by the Chillicothe Development Corporation and will depict the Palace of Fashion, a historic women's clothing store that was located in the 600 block of Washington Street in the late 1800s.

C-T Photo/Laura Schuler

Chillicothe Business College... Local artist Kelly Poling began work on a mural on the north side of the building housing Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Inc., at 710 Washington Street on June 1, 2005. The mural depicts the Chillicothe Business College campus. To do the work, Poling painted over a mural painted by another artist several years ago, which also depicted the college. Poling explained that the paint on the previous mural was faded, which is why the decision was made for another mural. The wall features a 30-by-70-foot mural of the college campus as well as a 30-by-12-foot mural depicting the arch and bird fountain which was located in the college's park area. The project was funded by Chillicothe Development Corporation, the Allen Moore family, and John Irvin, through the Mervyn W. Jenkins Foundation. This is the 10th mural in Chillicothe. C-T Photo by Laura Schuler.

The completed mural... photos by Butch Shaffer...

Another mural going up in downtown Chillicothe... Local artist, Kelly Poling, paints a mural of an early 1900's Citizens Bank & Trust teller window. Poling began the mural located on the CB&T drive thru building last week and expects to be finished in about another week and a half.

C-T Photo / Megan Neis
By MEGAN NEIS / C-T Staff Writer / 04 30 04

A new mural is being painted on the drive thru building of Citizens Bank & Trust and is part of Main Street Chillicothe's mural project. Local artist, Kelly Poling, is painting the mural and reported that he began working on it about a week ago. He expects the mural to be finished in about another week and a half. "Right now I usually get there about 8:30 in the morning and work until about 1:30 p.m.," Poling said of his approximately five hours a day mural work schedule.

The mural is being painted on an 18-by-23 wall and depicts an old Citizens Bank & Trust inside teller window. Poling reported that he based the mural on a picture from the early 1900's, and he will add several people to the painting. Denise Stottlemyre, director of Main Street Chillicothe, reported that the mural project is part of the Downtown Revitalization Program. She explained that a mural committee and Main Street Chillicothe were working on downtown murals and submitted a letter to Citizens Bank & Trust asking if they would like to partner with Main Street on the mural.

"We started with around six photos of the inside and outside of Citizens Bank & Trust," said Stottlemyre. She reported that the mural board narrowed it down to two pictures and Citizens Bank & Trust chose which historic photo they wanted to have painted on their building.

"The mural shows the pride we have in our heritage and the support we have for the mural program that has become a widely recognized signature for the Chillicothe community," said Ed Douglas, chairman and chief executive officer of Citizens Bank & Trust.

Mural Depicting AG History Taking Shape

By LAURA SCHULER / C-T City Editor / 07/27/04

A new mural depicting Livingston County agriculture history is currently taking shape on a wall in the 700 block of Washington Street. Local artist Kelly Poling started work on the mural on July 23 and when he's finished, the artwork will span the entire south side of the building that formally housed Action Rental. The wall is estimated to be 110-foot-long and about 30 feet high.

The $9,000 project is being funded totally by the Mervyn W. Jenkins Foundation. However, it is one of several in town covered by the Main Street Chillicothe mural program, according to Denise Stottlemyre, Main Street director.

She reported that as part of the Main Street Chillicothe mural program, it will be featured in an upcoming brochure marketing Chillicothe. She added that the main street mural committee also helped with the mural's design and issued final approval for the mural.

Ideas for the mural's design were formulated six to eight months ago, Irvin said. He added that another local artist, Scott Rule, created a small sketch of the mural, which Poling is using as a reference to create the final version.

For completed versions of these murals, visit our Downtown Tour page...

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By CATHERINE STORTZ RIPLEY / C-T News Editor

The old Leeper Hotel, one of Chillicothe¹s oldest buildings dating back to 1884, may be rescued from demolition. The building¹s owner, Fred White, put up barricades and planned to begin razing the 4-story structure this week when Doug Dennis, a Chillicothe businessman, intervened and expressed a desire to purchase the building. Demolition plans came to a screeching halt and the barricades were immediately removed. We just didn¹t want to let it drop, Dennis said of the building located at the northwest corner of Webster and Washington streets.

Dennis, who with his wife, Tammy, owns Dennis Heating and Air, said he met with White to discuss the sale of an air conditioner and ended up discussing the sale of the old hotel. It came about in a matter of a couple days, Dennis told the Constitution-Tribune. Dennis, along with some silent partners, are now in the process of purchasing the building. They plan to discuss the future of the building during the regular meeting of the Chillicothe City Council on Tuesday. Dennis said that ultimate plans call for refurbishing the entire structure, using the first floor for retail space and the second, third and fourth floors for offices and/or apartments. We don¹t know what is going to happen, but we just didn't want to see it drop, Dennis said. The prospective owners want to focus first on bringing the building up to city codes immediately and then refurbish the first floor and basement. Renovation of the upper floors would come later.

For the last several months, city officials have talked about the disgraceful condition of the building, noting that it has sat vacant for several years, has become a health and safety hazard and is in violation of city codes. White, who purchased the building a few years ago on the auction block for a mere $5,500, was moving ahead on the city¹s desire to destroy the building. I was saddened to see that, Dennis said. Dennis said he and his partners were motivated to purchase the building through the efforts of Main Street Chillicothe and the downtown revitalization program. Although much of the original fixtures have been removed, Dennis said the investors plan to work with the Main Street Chillicothe program and make the renovations consistent with historical characteristics.

Lynn Jackson, director of Main Street Chillicothe, will serve as a resource for any financial assistance the investors are seeking, most notably, tax credits. Tax credits are now available, Jackson said, because the old Leeper Hotel, along with 47 buildings throughout the downtown area are now on the
National Registry of Historic Places. Jackson said he received notification on Thursday that the buildings were added to the national register. Jackson explained that tax credits are available for individuals who follow the secretary of the interior¹s standards for rehabilitation; in essence, keeping the building as close to the original design as possible. If the standards are met, state and federal tax credits are available to help rehabilitation, with the state providing 25 percent tax credit of the overall expense and the federal government providing 20 percent. Designation of the historical districts came about six months ahead of time, Jackson said.

The building was built in 1884, Jackson said. A fourth story was added around 1915 and the building was remodeled in 1929. Jackson said he was glad to see Chillicothe¹s history preserved with plans
to refurbish the old structure. There would be a terrible void in Chillicothe if it was torn down, he said. We tried everything possible to help the previous owner and it wasn't working out. We¹re now able to take something that is a negative and turn it into a positive. In recent years, the first floor and basement areas were completely remodeled and became home to the Mart Drug Store. The structure later housed the Martin House on the main floor and a restaurant in the basement.

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A standard upstairs apartment was turned into a beautiful loft. Al and Cathie Habiger (owners of a chain of McDonald's) renovated the top floor of their Habiger Management Company on Jackson Street in downtown Chillicothe into an apartment loft. Work began during the spring of 2004.

By Christmas, 2004, an open house was held celebrating the new living quarters and offices. The photos below were taken by Brenda Fellhoelter of BK Web Works during the open house.

	Photos of the spectacular window overlooking the street below. At right, the outside of the new apartment and office complex featuring the same window.

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As part of the Main Street Chillicothe beautification effort, the Livingston County Senior Multi Purpose Center have completed installation of new awnings on the front of their building at 440 Locust Street. The new awnings reflecting the brick façade are a burgundy and tan stripe canvas projecting out over the lattice windows at the Coburn Building. This is the most recent project of the Senior Center to continue to upgrade this downtown property for their use as a nutrition and senior activities center.

The awnings project at the Coburn Building was completed by Chad’s Awnings of Sedalia, MO, for a total cost of $3,700. The awnings were financed on a 50/50 basis with the Senior Center paying half of the cost and the Chillicothe Development Corporation paying the other half.

The Main Street Chillicothe Office is funded as a cooperative effort of the Chillicothe Development Corporation together with local support through the sale of neighborhood assistance tax credits. The Missouri Department of Economic Development has provided Chillicothe the tax credits for operation of the Main Street Office. “The CDC Board and Main Street would like to thank the Board of the Livingston County Senior Multi Purpose Center for their involvement and support of this project”, said John Marcolla, CDC President. “We would especially like to acknowledge the help of Charlie Adams in carrying out the awning project.”

For further information, contact Denise Stottlemyre, Main Street Project Coordinator, at 646-4071 extension 15. Article released April 11, 2004.

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Downtown Building Gets New Look - Milbank Building
By LAURA SCHULER / C-T City Editor, 09 08 04

Caption: Local artist Kelly Poling gives the second story of the historic building at 720 Washington Street a fresh coat of paint this (Wednesday) morning. Ed Milbank, the owner of the building, is one of a growing number of qualifying property owners who have partnered with Main Street Chillicothe to complete facade renovations this year. C-T Photo/Laura Schuler

One of the oldest buildings in the downtown area is getting a new look and its owner, Ed Milbank, is hoping that the colorful paint job will do more than attract admiring glances -- he's looking for a tenant.

The two-story building has sat vacant at 720 Washington Street after a car title loan company picked up stakes about a year ago. Milbank decided to give the building a fresh coat of paint before the building is rented out again and partnered with Main Street Chillicothe to do the project. "Main Street has been a big help," Milbank said.

The Chillicothe businessman is one of a growing number of downtown building owners who are taking advantage of Main Street's grant program, which is designed to help property owners foot the bill associated with exterior renovations on their historic buildings.

"This is one of our (Main Street's) primary focuses over the last year -- to try and work with as many downtown owners as we can," Denise Stottlemyre, Main Street Chillicothe director said. The grant program was developed a couple of years ago through a joint partnership between the Chillicothe Development Corporation and Main Street Chillicothe. It pays up to $5,000 in matching funds to qualifying business owners interested in renovating the facades of their historic buildings. "It's (the matching grant program) designed to try to focus on the facades of the buildings and try to give them a historic look and restore them and make the downtown area more attractive," Stottlemyre said.

The painting project at 720 Washington Street is the latest in a string of remodelings completed with funding assistance from Main Street Chillicothe over the past year. This year, matching grants helped fund new awnings at the Livingston County Senior Center, and helped finance two other paint projects in the downtown area. The project is also being utilized to cover the cost of an extensive facade renovation currently being done at 701 Webster Street on the east side of the building which houses Parks' Shoes.

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Old B.R. Harris Building Being Razed
By LAURA SCHULER / C-T City Editor, 09 09 04

Caption: A trackhoe, operated by Justin Perkins, of Perkins Dozing, works on cleaning up the rubble inside the brick building at 508 Jackson Street. The structure, one of two used to house the B.R. Harris office supply business, was purchased at auction in July by Mike and Mary Prokop, owners of Franklin Apartments. A green space is being considered for the area once the demolition is complete. The other building used for the B.R. Harris Company business (pictured in the top left) was also for sale at the July auction, but the building has not officially been sold yet. C-T Photo/Laura Schuler

Demolition of the 87-year-old brick building which most recently housed the B. R. Harris Company is almost complete in downtown Chillicothe. As of this (Thursday) morning, the 120-by-60-foot structure at 508 Jackson Street, had only four walls remaining upright and workers from Perkins Dozing, of Jamesport, were hoping to bring the rest of the walls down soon.

The new owners of the building are Mike and Mary Prokop, of Fremont, Neb. The Prokops, who also own the nearby Franklin Apartments, and an adjacent 125-by-40-foot vacant lot, purchased the building at a July 17 auction from Bill and Betty Hawkins, of Chillicothe. According to the Prokops' daughter, Amy Prokop, manager for Franklin Apartments, the soon-to-be-cleared property may someday provide space for additional tenant parking. In the meantime, however, Prokop said plans for a greenspace there are being considered.

"We're just going to clear the lot and make it safe and nice looking," Prokop explained Wednesday. She added that efforts will be made to incorporate the building's old "L.E. Fullerton," nameplate somewhere among the lot's future trees and flowers. Saving the building wasn't feasible according to Prokop, simply because the price tag attached to any such renovation would have been too high for most any property owner to consider.

"It would have been nice to salvage it (the building), but there was just no way to do it," Prokop said. She explained that a third of the building's roof was "caved in" and the cost of removing the old roof and constructing a new one would have reached the $50,000 mark. "It just wasn't a realistic option," she said.

The building was built in 1916 by Lucian Elmer Fullerton and his brother, Henry Roscoe Fullerton as a $4,000 investment, Prokop said.

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