Common Council not impressed with cost of Methodist Building rehabilitation proposal

The largest building in downtown Shelbyville has sat vacant for more than two decades. And despite attempts to rehabilitate the Methodist Building by private investors, it still sits vacant.

Shelbyville Mayor Scott Furgeson stated bluntly at a special Common Council meeting Monday at 5 p.m. at City Hall that, “This is the only way we get this building filled up, is if we do it and we get involved.”

Through new state legislation, the city put forth the creation of a 1% food and beverage tax that would fund the rehabilitation of the Methodist Building.

The new tax bothered many in the community. And the thought of pouring more money into the Methodist Building drew even more ire.

The council halted the approval of the tax to have more discussion. On Monday at City Hall, Waypoint Strategies outlined a conceptual plan for turning the five-story downtown building into a “playscape” ideal for children ages 6-12.

The cost of the remodel is estimated to be $9.5 million. That does not include the purchase price of the building currently owned by Ron Kelsay. The building is in the appraisal stage. Once two appraisals are created, the purchase price would be set at the midpoint of the two appraisals.

The Shelbyville Common Council and Shelbyville Mayor Scott Furgeson held discussion Monday at City Hall regarding the proposed 1% food and beverage tax that would fund a rehabilitation project at the Methodist Building in downtown Shelbyville.

Ten people spoke before the council Monday respectfully asking direct questions about the project, including the owners of Just Peachy Café and Capone’s Downtown Speakeasy, who questioned the need for another tax on small town businesses.

Furgeson stated the city would own the building with the goal of turning the playscape into a nonprofit entity within three years.

Once public comments were closed, several members of the council spoke on their interest in the project idea but not the overall price tag. And there are still too many questions about how the facility will operate.

“The business plan put together will be part of once we hire Waypoint to do the plan,” explained Furgeson. “That comes with it then. I know it’s backward, but we can’t go out and lay out a bunch of money at this point in time to get this done without having a commitment to where we are paying it from.”

But putting up close to $10 million does not sit well with the council.

“I am interested very much in how this operation would be maintained in the future, for even three years. I don’t think there is anybody in here that wouldn’t like to see a good use made of the Methodist Building. Nor do I think there is anybody in here that is opposed to providing more services for children in the community,” stated councilman Denny Harrold (photo). “I don’t see the 1% food and beverage tax at this point in time being advised. We are just starting to see the effects of tariffs, and I think that will become more and more of an issue. In addition to that, I think we are on the verge of more inflation, and I don’t think this city and this council wants to put more challenges to those with low income or fixed income for this project.

“I love the idea of what I saw in the pictures for the children. The price is outrageous and that doesn’t go into what it is going to cost to maintain it and see the kids come.”

Before Waypoint made its presentation Monday, Furgeson informed those in attendance that no vote would be taken on instituting the food and beverage tax. Another special council meeting was set for the following Monday to address the tax.

After comments from the council members Monday, Furgeson (photo) was unsure that meeting would take place. In addition, he believed there needed to be some changes to the project for it to move forward.

“I think that building, rather than maybe doing five stories of a children play area, we do two and then turn the other three into condos – a compromise to the plan to try and make it not as big a burden for the city,” Furgeson said after the meeting. “After hearing some of the comments, maybe look at it different and back up a little bit and do a smaller project.”

The city announced Tuesday morning that the Sept. 22 meeting is now cancelled.

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