Street News March 2016 - City of Decatur, Indiana

Decatur Main Street
Board of Directors
President
Max A. Miller
Vice-President
Wylie Sirk
Secretary
Melissa Norby
Treasurer
Phyllis Whitright
Members
Kevan Biggs
Brad Martz
Tony Murray
Ron Storey
NEWS
NEWS
March 2016
DECEMBER 2015
Volunteer Coordinator
Larry Isch
Find us at
www.decaturin.org
Board of Directors
Meeting
Third Monday
of each Month
8:00 A.M.
Decatur City Hall
172 N. Second Street
Decatur, Indiana 46733
Meetings are open to
Decatur Main Street
Members and the General
Public.
Main Street
Committees
Design
Economic Restructuring
Organization
Promotion
Vol 2. Number 2
by Wylie Sirk - President
The Decatur Main Street was organized with the goal of supporting the revitalization
and organization of the Decatur downtown area. The work of Decatur Main Street is
to help coordinate efforts with other local groups to bring quality of place back to the
downtown area, as well as, the Decatur community. Our efforts allows for community
members to work together to redevelop sites, such as Founders Park.
Currently under way is the downtown Façade project. Decatur has committed $50,000
each year for the next five years to match up to $15,000 for each downtown business
wanting to upgrade and remodel their store front. The Design Committee is currently
reviewing the first round of applicants. Those businesses awarded will be announced in
April 2016. We are excited that there were t welve applications submitted. We look
for ward to the new enhancements and changes to Historic Downtown Decatur. Come
and be a part of the change.
Wylie Sirk
Decatur Main Street welcomes its
2016 members
Benefactor Sponsor
Haggard Sefton and Hirschy Funeral Home
Gold Sponsors
Complete Printing Service
DeVoss, Johnson, Zwick, Baker and
Ainsworth
Old 27 Ice Cream Shop
Silver Sponsors
Barger Realty
Patron Members
E.F. Gass Salon
Larry Isch
Kintz Insurance
Steve Rich Insurance
Business Members
Adams Public Library
Decatur Chamber of Commerce
Decatur Daily Democrat
Eichhorn Jewelry
The Grainery
The Homeplace - Scherry Steele
The Java Bean
MR Planners
Ritter’s Flowers and Gifts
Family Members
Wylie and Jeanie Sirk
City of Decatur will not apply for
Stellar Communities program in 2016
On a recommendation from Greater Decatur, the
strategic advisory group to the Mayor – City Council
ratified the decision to not apply for the 2016 Stellar
Communities program through the Indiana Office
of Community and Rural Affairs.
The City was a finalist for the program in 2014
and 2015, which provides funding for community
development projects from state agencies such as
OCRA, the Indiana Department of Transportation
and Indiana Housing and Community Development
Authority, and project support from a variety of
additional state agencies.
Greg Kitson presented to City Council on
behalf of Greater Decatur, relaying that the city
is better off for having experienced the Stellar
Communities process. That process has allowed
the city to formulate a community development
plan and identify projects such as the downtown
nature preserve, Madison Street Plaza, 2nd Street
streetscapes, downtown façade program, arts and
creative entrepreneur lofts and creative engagement
center space, to name a few.
In October 2015, representatives from OCRA were
in Decatur for a town hall meeting where they
endorsed the city’s strategic community investment
plan. The city will continue to work with OCRA on
other grants and programs it offers, to try to address
community projects such as the ones listed above.
Individual Members
Michael Webb
Senior Members
Michael and RoxyAnn Casper
Louise Wolpert
Page 2
A new event coming to downtown Decatur
Late last year, Decatur Main Street
and Decatur Rotary Club each
had their respective ideas to plan
a downtown event for Summer
2016.
In January, the t wo groups came
together and decided to combine
their t wo events into one. Dekegger
Homebrew and BBQ Fest will be
Saturday, June 25, in downtown
Decatur.
The event will be a contest on both
the BBQ and homebrew sides, with
the public invited to taste from 5-9
p.m. the day of the event.
See Us at SPOTLIGHT
Be sure to stop by our booth at the Decatur Chamber of Commerce’s SPOTLIGHT
BUSINESS EXPO, March 12, 8am-4pm, at Bellmont Middle School. We will
have information on joining Main Street and upcoming events, plus Historic
US 27 t-shirts and collector signs will be available for purchase.
Page 3
FUNDRAISER TO RETAIN STATUE
A fundraiser is under way to purchase and retain the bronze statue,
“Let Freedom Ring” in the downtown area. It is currently located
on the corner of 2nd and Madison streets outside of the Adams
County Community Foundation. The statue by artist James Haire
was brought here as part of the 2015 Decatur Sulpture Tour and
is scheduled to return to the artist this Spring unless $25,000 is
raised to purchase it.
Donations to the Let Freedom Ring Sculpture committee can be
made to the ACCF-Decatur Community Fund designated to the
statue. They can be mailed or dropped off at the Adams County
Community Foundation office at 102 N Second Street. Decatur IN
46733.
Façade recipients to be
announced in April
Museum to offer Coffee House event
The Adams County Historical Society is offering a
new event scheduled for Thursday, March 31 from
7-9pm. “Coffee House at the Museum” will feature
gourmet coffees provided by Shaka Shack and tasty
treats provided by Niblick’s Downtown Bistro. Live
More than 25 downtown building and business local musicians will entertain guest throughout the
owners attended informational meetings and evening. They include Chris Gadlage, Tom Hedrick,
received façade applications. Applications were due Jeff Blackburn and Brad Byerly.
on February 29, with 12 applications requesting a
portion of the $50,000 allocated by the city in 2016. Tickets are $10 in advance, $9 for Historical
The program is a 50/50 matching grant to building Society Members and $12 at the door. Tickets are
and business owners, with the cap per project at availble at Ritter’s Flowers & Gifts and P.J. Creative
Consignments. They are also availble online at
$15,000.
www.adamscountyinhistoricalmuseum.com.
Applications proposed a variety of work – window
Parks Dept. offering Spring Break events
and door replacement, painting, new signage and
awnings, storefront restoration, brick and mortar
The Adams County Parks Department is once
repair and removal of metal and vinyl siding.
again promoting a full week of events throughout
The Decatur Main Street Design Committee has the county for Spring Break 2016. From March 19been tasked with reviewing and scoring the façade 27 a full slate of family fun activities will be held,
applications, on behalf of the city. In 2015, the City with many in the Downtown Decatur area.
of Decatur announced it would commit $50,000 per
year over five years as matching funds for a façade The Full schedule may be picked up at the Riverside
Center and other area locations.
program.
The City of Decatur and Decatur Main Street
have joined forces to develop and implement the
downtown façade improvement program, and the
initial recipients will be awarded in April.
Page 4
TWO NEW BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN
Lofthouse Films and the Horvath Family Agency are two new businesses in the downtown area. They were asked
to summit a brief discription and to tell us more about themselves and thier business.
LOFTHOUSE FILMS
Lofthouse Films is driven by a team of Visual Artists utilizing the
latest industry trends to provide quality video, photo and design services. Our
principle of bringing visuals to life through an eclectic range of inspirations has
enabled us to take on a wide variety of creative challenges, across numerous
forms of media, unrestricted of scale or form.
With every project we take on, committing ourselves to the highest of
standards enables us to deliver engaging content best reflecting the vision of
our customer.
At Lofthouse Films, we believe transparency is an honorable trait,
which is why no project leaves our hands until it has been stamped with our
100 percent approval. Contact us today to find out how we can best serve your
company’s visual needs.
Brandon Voglewede- Creative Director/Visual Artist
Phone: 260-223-0284
Aaron Voglewede- Business Development
Email: info@lofthousefilms.com
Demi Brunner- Visual Artist
Website: lofthousefilms.com
HORVATH FAMILY AGENCY ALLSTATE INSURANCE
217 S 2nd St
Just this January 1, 2016 I had the opportunity to take over the Allstate
Agency here in Decatur. Many of you who know Maggie, know she retired,
and will be out playing golf as soon as the weather is warm.
I’ve gotten to know many local families already as an Allstate agent in
Decatur. I enjoy being a part of the community, and building local relationships
is one of the best parts of my job. I know how important it is to have the right
coverage at the right price when it comes to insurance. I look forward to getting to know more of you and helping
you find the solutions that meet your needs.
During the month of March we have a special drawing here at the office for a $100 gift card to the Back 40
Junction. To participate in the drawing I will be going around to the Main Street businesses meeting owners and
staff. If you provide me a business card, a phone number, a time to call and the opportunity to quote you Home
and Auto Insurance your card goes into the fish bowl. At the end of the month, a card is drawn and the winner is
announced.
On the flip side for April, I will be purchasing gift cards from your main street businesses and then heading
out to businesses north of the tracks, along Highway 27, doing the same. Collecting cards and quoting insurance
with the hopes of bringing the April drawing winner to your businesses.
Part of what I like best about my job is that I can offer customers options for a wide variety of coverage and services.
You can depend on my office to help you look at the big picture.
When you want to explore options for protecting your home, personal property, or financial future, I’m
available to answer your questions. If you’re already a customer, I’m ready to review your coverage so that you can
make any necessary adjustments to fit your changing needs.
Keep up with me and Allstate on the Horvath Family Agency Facebook page.
A little about me, I live with my wife and daughter on a small farm and ranch in South Whitley. Eel River
Bison Ranch. We just started raising bison. We have 3 and they will be old enough to start breeding this summer.
The goal is to have a total of 8 by the end of this year and to have 25 when in full production. We also own an Event
Center that we rent out for Weddings, Banquets, reunions, meetings, baby showers, and more. This is the Eel River
Event Center and you can find us online at www.eelriverbison.com and also follow us on Facebook.
Page 5
MUSEUM ACQUIRES OLD
FILMS OF DECATUR
The Adams County Historical Society recently recieved a donation of four
plus hours of old 16mm home movies from the Paul Edwards Family. Mr.
Edwards was a local photographer in Decatur from the 1920’s through
the 1950’s. His studio was located at the corner of 2nd and Jefferson
Streets.
The movies feature the Edwards family and thier life in Decatur from
1934-1950. Besides Christmas’, birthdays and vacations the films show
many scenes of Decatur and the downtown area, including parades,
festivals, the Decatur pool, Bellmont Park and others, some even in full
color. It is fortunate that Mr. Edwards had captured so much of our
history on film and that the family has chosen to share it. We thank
them for that.
The prints have been converted to digital for easy editing and the Society
is working on creating a short program featuring the highlights that
shows the Decatur area. A summer date will be announced soon when
they plan to present this program.
Right-Screen captures from the Edward’s films - Top: Color footage of
parade on 3rd Street (1935). Center: The Edward’s son Steven gets
his first haircut at the Lose’s Barber Shop on Madison Street, (1941).
Bottom: Edwards daughter Katie rides a horse near the Madison Street
Bridge (1941).
IN MEMORY
Sharlene Bauman was a prominent figure in the
downtown area from 1972 until her retirement in
2004. She was employed by the city as the City Parking
Control Attendant. It was her job to be sure that no
one abused the 2 hour parking limit.
Sharlene would patrol the streets daily, issuing tickets
to all that had overstayed their time. It was also her
job to maintain and empty the parking meters of coins
before the meters were permanently removed.
Sharlene passed away after a brief illness on Monday,
February 1, 2016 at the age of 79. She will always be
remembered for her friendly nature and someone
who always took her job seriously.
Page 6
REMEMBER WHEN?
At one time the sign pictured
at the right was displayed along
highway US 27 near the Monmouth
area to direct passing cars to
downtown Decatur.
It was in place until the late
1970’s when the highway was
expanded to four lanes and the road
to Monmouth was redirected.
Main Street has on it’s
agenda to eventually erect new
signage on the highway that will
once again inform passing visitors
the route to downtown by designate
the HIstoric US 27 as a business
loop.
Page 7
UPCOMING DOWNTOWN EVENTS
March 12 – Spotlight Business Expo at Bellmont Middle School
March 13 - Savings Time Spring For ward
March 17 - St. Patricks Day
March 19-27 -Parks Spring Break Activities
March 21 - Main Street Board Meeting
March 27 - Easter
March 31 - Coffee House at the Museum
--------------------------------------------------------
MAIN STREET MEMBERSHIP FORM
Join Decatur Main Street and support the revitalization of Historic Downtown Decatur.
Name: ________________________________________________________________
Business Name: ________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________
City: ______________________________State: _______________Zip: ____________
Phone: _______________________________________________________________
Email:__________________________________________________________________
MEMBERSHIP LEVELS
Senior (60+)$15
Individual$30
Family$50
Business$60
Patron$100
Silver Sponsor$250
Gold Sponsor$500
Benefactor$1000
Return your completed form and check to:
MEMBERSHIP Decatur Indiana Main Street
FORM
172 N. Second Street
Decatur, Indiana 46733
All membership donations are fully tax deductable. Membership valid for one year.