Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
HUNTINGBURG – As construction of the Monon South Trail has begun in Mitchell, city leaders are eying the trail as a spark to revitalize the downtown.
The Mitchell trailhead will be near Main Street and will bring trail users into downtown to walk or bike the trail.
Earlier this month, Mitchell Mayor Don Caudell and Mitchell City Council members Larry Caudell and George James visited the city of Huntingburg to learn how the Dubois County city sparked a downtown revitalization effort that has taken place over the past decade.
The visit was coordinated by Radius Indiana, which is leading the development of the Monon South Trail.
Two buildings on Mitchell’s Main Street are in disrepair. One of them, a former bank building located next to the park, is owned by the city and previously was headquarters for the Mitchell Police Department. The other building, known as the Burton building, is across the street and privately owned.
Caudell has invited outside groups with expertise in downtown development and older buildings to assess the two buildings.
“The cost of repairing them is pretty significant,” Caudell said. “The next step, and it’s a last resort, is getting a cost on demolition.”
Caudell said he doesn’t want to lose downtown buildings, but wants the council to have the information on demolition costs as decisions are made.
Inspiration in Huntingburg
While visiting Huntingburg, Mayor Neil Elkins told the group how the city created an entertainment/public gathering space known as Market Street Park. The vision for the park was realized when the city was awarded a Stellar Communities grant. It is adjacent to downtown and the Fourth Street shopping and restaurant area.
The park is anchored by an outdoor stage, German American Pavilion. There is also a covered space for a farmers market, firepit, swings and seating. The city has financial agreements with local businesses German American and OFS for naming rights. Funds, Elkins said, are used for maintaining the structures and landscaping in Market Street Park.
Not so long ago, Mitchell’s downtown was a bustling place with a lumber yard, hardware store, two banks and several antique stores/shops lining Main Street.
Caudell, who owned Holmes Hardware, said for about 10 years, Mitchell was a destination for antiquers. As interest in antiques waned, the stores closed, leaving several vacancies.
With the Monon South Trail under construction, Caudell wants downtown Mitchell to become a gathering place for trail visitors looking for a bite to eat, a coffee or to stroll shops.
Caudell said he was impressed with what Huntingburg has accomplished and said the park area on Mitchell’s Main Street could be expanded to become a gathering space and possibly have room for a small amphitheater.
“Visiting Huntingburg showed that you can really get a lot done,” Caudell said. “I was very impressed.”
With the Monon South Trail under construction and a trailhead that will be near downtown Mitchell, the city is working to take advantage of the new opportunity that will bring visitors right through downtown.
“We are really anxious for the trail. We think once you can see it and they start laying asphalt, that will give us the impetus and encourage other activity,” Caudell said.
Caudell said the city is also exploring a trail loop off the Monon South Trail that would bring trail users past Mitchell City Hall and Gus Grissom’s Boyhood Home.