Thursday, July 01, 1999
Lawrenceburg signs deal on landmarks
BY RACHEL MELCER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LAWRENCEBURG, Ind. — City officials and historic preservationists signed on the dotted line Wednesday to secure both the past and future of this long-troubled Ohio River town.
They settled their differences — and a lawsuit — as Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana Inc. (HLFI) paid the city $1.5 million and took ownership of 13 mid-19th century structures along a three-block stretch of High Street, as well as one at 131 Elm St.
At an additional cost of about $1.5 million, HLFI will fix up the buildings and sell them for residential and commercial use. It is the biggest and most expensive single project undertaken by the 40-year-old nonprofit foundation.
At the same time, the city will spend an estimated $25 million to develop a state-of-the-art conference center, hotel and parking garage next door.
“I see hundreds of thousands of new faces coming to the downtown of Lawrenceburg, either to attend some sort of conference or to attend some sort of entertainment,” said Mayor Melvin Gabbard. The new development is to feature federal-style architecture to blend in with the old.
“It's a great day in the history of Lawrenceburg. I guess if there's any such thing as having the best of both worlds, we do. We're able to preserve (the historic buildings) and still have a bright future.”
The three-block area along High Street, between Elm and Vine streets, was bought and shuttered in 1994 by Las Vegas-based Golden Nugget company, which had hoped to obtain the city's riverboat casino license. The city bought the land last year and will pay for its share of the renewal with tax dollars from the successful licensee, Argosy Casino and Hotel.
HLFI will pay its own way.
President Reid Williamson said he hopes to recoup the money through the eventual sale of most of the buildings as single-family homes. The Jesse Hunt Hotel, a crumbling structure that holds the distinction of being the state's oldest three-story brick building, could be renovated into a restaurant or inn.
“High Street is a very special landmark avenue compared to other collections of historic buildings throughout the state. And Lawrenceburg has a grand foundation of historic buildings with which to build a revitalization effort,” Mr. Williamson said.
Although Argosy's record-breaking commercial success has pumped millions of dollars into the city budget, the casino never generated public interest in the failing downtown business district.
Some of the casino money was used to rebuild streets and curbs. A scenic levee walk opened this spring, and a serpentine wall will be completed next month. The river, combined with the conference and entertainment district, will be the city's tourist attraction.
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