Plymouth Redevelopment Commission hears townhomes update, approves Chamber of Commerce request

The Plymouth Redevelopment Commission received a progress report on the Water Street Townhomes and unanimously approved a proposal to co-locate Marshall County Tourism with the local Chamber of Commerce during its Tuesday evening meeting.

Local architect Brent Martin provided the update on the Water Street Townhomes project, noting that the development is in its final stages. According to Martin, contractor Kevin Berger is currently waiting for local asphalt plants to open—which typically happens in mid-April—so crews can lay the final topcoat of asphalt and stripe the parking lot.

Inside the townhomes, construction is essentially finished. Martin reported that all painting and flooring are complete, and individual solar arrays have been successfully installed for each unit. The only remaining interior tasks are the installation of kitchen cabinets and setting the appliances in place.

Because Berger does not want to begin leasing the apartments until the parking lot is fully finished and accessible, crews are pacing the final interior touches over the next four to six weeks.

In other business, Matt Hovermale, Executive Director of the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce and President of the Marshall County Tourism Committee, approached the commission with a facility request. Because the Redevelopment Commission owns the building where the Chamber is currently housed, Hovermale asked for permission to move Marshall County Tourism into a vacant office within the same facility.

Hovermale highlighted the natural synergy between the two organizations as a primary reason for the proposed move.

“I feel like it is a good combination. I think we do quite a bit of the same work,” Hovermale told the commission.

He noted that the tourism board is currently looking to hire a marketing-focused professional who could also contribute to the Chamber's ongoing efforts. Additionally, Hovermale pointed out that his own professional background in hospitality would be an asset to the county's tourism initiatives if the two offices were working side-by-side.

While Marshall County Tourism will not be paying rent for the space, Hovermale confirmed that the organization will share in the office's operating expenses. He added that it is currently unknown whether the office-sharing arrangement will be temporary or permanent.

Following the discussion, the Plymouth Redevelopment Commission members unanimously approved the request with a 6-0 vote.