In an effort to get questions answered about the state of the Methodist Building in downtown Shelbyville, the Board of Works requested building owner Ron Kelsay appear at Tuesday morning’s meeting at City Hall.
Graffiti on the building, the largest structure in downtown Shelbyville, trash accumulation and broken windows were points of discussion with Kelsay, the current owner of the vacant building.
“We’ve continued to work to do some redevelopment and we are not there yet,” said Kelsay when asked by Shelbyville Mayor Scott Furgeson if he could maintain the building so it looks better.
Furgeson stated he had a meeting with Kelsay in January to discuss the Methodist Building. Kelsay stated Tuesday morning he is still trying to redevelop the building rather than sell it to another owner.
Kelsay expressed his own frustration that the redevelopment process has not moved quicker. He admitted there are windows boarded up after some were removed to help with demolition of some of the interior of the building. There are others that have been recently broken by vandals.
“To make it look nicer, I have a contractor that I am waiting to show up and take the wood out so it doesn’t visibly look distasteful and they will repair those with plexiglass,” said Kelsay.
Kelsay believes the building is safe and secure.
“It is my responsibility to maintain the building,” agreed Kelsay when asked by Furgeson, who is one of three members of the city’s Board of Works and Public Safety. “It’s a vacant building. … I am trying to not make it a vacant building but it is a long, challenging process that sometimes goes quick and sometimes it just takes longer.”
Annual Lawrence County 4-H Dog and General Project Show awards announced
City Council says no to side-by-sides in Lawrenceville
Brocksmith named 2026 Indiana Master Farmer
Unit 10 Board studying student cellphone policy
St Francisville prepares for bridge closure
Dylan Jones facing multiple first degree murder charges in Olney deaths
New round of funding for EV charging stations through IDOT
Arrest in Olney double homicide
Change of venue granted for Valentine murder trial
One in custody in Richland County double homicide
Garth Brooks announces The Blame It All On My Roots Tour kicking off at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Lawrence County (Illinois) man dies from fireworks accident
Wabash General Hospital recognized among hospitals patients would highly recommend
IDOT warns of pavement failures during hot weather
Lawrence County Veterans Commission formation moves forward
