Southern Indiana Business Report
WASHINGTON – City, county and regional officials set the stage for continued revitalization and renewal of the Daviess County region with the official ribbon-cutting of the $3.1 million Commons facility in downtown Washington Friday.
“The city of Washington has already taken several steps toward an energized downtown and this formal ribbon-cutting will accelerate that movement right in the heart of the city,” said Washington Mayor David Rhoads.
The multi-purpose venue, located south of Main Street in downtown Washington, includes the German-American Stage for concerts and special events, the TrueScripts Market Pavilion along Main Street, and the Knights of Columbus Event Pavilion east of the lawn seating space in front of the German-American stage.
“The community now has a multi-use venue that can function as a convenient location for convening local gatherings and hosting events that could attract visitors from throughout the Midwest,” said Bob Grewe, Executive Director of the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation. “This signals that Washington and Daviess County are serious about developing quality of life amenities that are essential to retaining and attracting families to our community.”
During the final stages of construction this past summer, the TrueScripts Market Pavilion was used to inaugurate a farmer’s market. “Now, as we schedule and launch new events and activities, we expect to see thousands of visitors and residents take part in a broad array of activities that will draw people to Washington and the Daviess County region,” the Mayor continued.
The Commons will be an important component of the revitalized Discover Downtown Washington initiative. “We already have new loft and upstairs apartments occupied or under construction in our downtown, and we’re already seeing new life from the renovation of the new RTC Communications building immediately next to The Commons, which will serve as a coworking-type space and provide business incubator and acceleration services,” the Mayor continued.
“As lieutenant governor of Indiana, I have seen firsthand how Daviess County and the City of Washington have demonstrated a remarkable commitment to innovative economic development, elevating this area’s quality of life,” said Suzanne Crouch, who also serves as Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “The opening of The Commons venue underscores that continuing commitment, and I offer sincere congratulations to all involved.”
The Daviess County Economic Development Foundation pioneered the project by acquiring the properties and buildings that previously stood on The Commons site. Once the final minor signoffs and construction approvals are achieved over the next few weeks, title of the multi-use facility will be transferred to the city of Washington, where it will become “an ‘outstanding jewel’ in our parks system,” said Rhoads. Plans are already emerging for The Commons to host concerts, civic events, farmer’s markets, celebrations and extended gatherings of organizations and families in 2025, with the first event to be conducted during the December 2024 holiday season.
“A few years ago, when he was with the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation, Bryant Niehoff and I discussed the need and value of having a dedicated green space in downtown Washington to help accelerate economic development and quality of life initiatives,” the Mayor explained.
“It is amazing and exciting to see this vision grow and become reality,” he noted.
“Congratulations to the city of Washington and Daviess County for their collaboration to plan, build and open the new Commons project,” said Tina Peterson, president and CEO of Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI). “As a dynamic multi-use gathering space, the Commons is well positioned to make a tremendous impact on the residents, businesses, and visitors to the Indiana Uplands region.”
“The German American team is excited to see this important community project become reality and we look forward to continuing to support Washington and the entire Daviess County community with our sponsorship of the German American Stage,” said Neil Dauby, president and CEO of German American. “It’s an important company value to be able to give back to the communities we serve, and we look forward to the long-term success and positive impact of The Commons.”
Dean Merder, president and CEO of TrueScripts, noted: “The Commons will serve as an attractive centerpiece for Washington and Daviess County both now and for many years to come. Given that our headquarters is here and the fact that our team members largely live in the area, our sponsorship of the Pavilion reflects our commitment to the growth of the community and its quality of life.”
The Tabor Owens Construction Group LLC provided the general construction work for the $3.1 million project.