Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
SHOALS – A town-led effort to save a 177-year-old downtown building in Shoals is gaining momentum after a group of regional partners gathered to discuss funding sources and potential uses for the building.
The Nu-Tap building on Main Street in Shoals was built as a hotel and for decades served as a tavern and pool hall. Historic records show it was the first building built on Main Street and meetings of the Martin County Council were held on the second floor while the Martin County Courthouse (which now is home of the Martin County Museum) was built.
Today, the building has fallen into disrepair. An effort to save the building, stabilize it and develop it for a new use is gaining steam among town leaders and residents.
Last month, a roundtable of regional partners came together to see the building and explore funding options. The meeting was organized by the Martin County Alliance for Economic Growth and the Town of Shoals to brainstorm ideas.
In addition to local leaders, regional partners at the roundtable were from Regional Opportunity Initiatives Inc. (ROI), Radius Indiana, Southern Indiana Development Commission (SIDC), Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) and Indiana Landmarks.
Unfortunately, stabilizing a building that has been vacant for more than 15 years is costly. Jessica Potts, Martin County Alliance for Economic Growth executive director, said the group was quoted an estimate of $500,000.
“When we heard that news, it kind of took the wind out beneath our sails. But we are digging in and researching grant funding,” Potts said. “We’re trying to piece some funding together and seeking more bids.”
Potts called the roundtable meeting a success and valuable information was gleaned for next steps toward saving the building. The scope of such a project is large, but the town isn’t giving up.
“At the end of the day, we all know they just don’t build buildings like these on our Main Streets anymore,” Potts said.
Funding sources
The Town of Shoals has agreed to provide $100,000 in EDIT funds to help with restoration of the building. The Redevelopment Commission is also showing interest in helping with the project.
Cecil Ragsdale, who served 12 years on the Shoals Town Council and is the town ordinance enforcement officer, was among residents at the roundtable.
“They came up with a lot of good ideas. Greg Sekula with Indiana Landmarks feels like we can get the roof fixed and the masonry done before winter,” Ragsdale said.
The town is waiting for bids on the roof and masonry work. The mortgage on the building is currently held by Springs Valley Bank. The town is hoping to take possession of the building once it has secured funds to cover the repairs.
With the funding commitment from the town and indications of other support, Ragsdale and other residents believe it’s possible.
“We’re not halfway there but we feel we’re on the right road,” he said.
Revitalizing the oldest building on Main Street is a no-brainer, said Shoals Town Council President Cary D. Albright.
“We already have all our utilities there. We don’t have to worry about increasing our capacity to service. The building’s stormwater is already being taken care of along with electrical, gas and wastewater treatment, so for the town, going out and putting up new buildings where we must provide a lot of infrastructure that doesn’t make sense for a tax base of our size,” Albright said. “Small towns have already stretched their limit about how much wastewater they can process and water they can distribute. Why not utilize to the maximum what we already have and what we can support?”
Main Street momentum
Interest in the Nu-Tap building came about during town meetings on joining the Main Street Indiana program, which guides cities and towns interested in downtown revitalization. Shoals’ Main Street is a designated historic district.
“We’ve got SC Draperies in the old Alco Dime Store, the Shoals library expansion and a Mexican restaurant that will be going in, in the building next door to the Nu-Tap,” he said. “And we’ve got younger people starting to get involved.”
Located at 232 Main St., the Nu-Tap was built in 1846 and is the only three-story building on the street.
Old photos show a bustling Main Street with cars parked on both sides of the street and large gatherings of people.
Ragsdale, a lifelong resident, said the Nu-Tap was well known, “From Martin to Orange County.” His grandmother worked there for a time and his great uncle ran the pool hall.
“Everybody knew it was a good place to eat,” he said. “They had a small place in the back for younger kids to go in and get a burger.”
Sekula, Southern Regional director for Indiana Landmarks, said despite the many unknown variables, the Nu-Tap building is an opportunity to save a piece of history and create new development.
Tying the Nu-Tap to a scattered site housing project is one option. The building could accommodate three apartments upstairs and a business could operate from the main level.
“Part of the discussion is what additional opportunities are out there and can we find a developer with an interest in doing a project like that. There is also an immediate need for stabilization. The town could take ownership and my recommendation is they consider doing that,” Sekula said.
With the winter season just around the corner, lining up a contractor and funding are top priorities to prevent further damage to the building. Time for the Nu-Tap is running out, Sekula said.