Friday, we told you about the thought bubbles spray-painted on the Louisville Chemical Building on the corner of Jefferson and Hancock streets. It seems the building knew something and wanted to get the word out. We asked for your ideas as to what the vacant building might be thinking, and Broken Sidewalk reader Kurtis must be on the same wavelength as the building. It turns out that today, the Louisville Chemical Building’s cries for help were answered.
Building owner’s Lee Wilburn and Julia Tinnell were awarded a $60,000 low interest loan to assist with facade and accessibility improvements. The 16,000 square foot building had been on the market for just under $1 million and failed to sell. At one time, the property had even been considered for purchase by the city to incorporate into the Liberty Green development across the street. Now it will undergo renovation to convert its three floors into commercial space.
According to loan papers filed with the city, the entire project could cost an estimated $700,000 to shell the interior for future commercial fit-up. First, though, a few more minor repairs will be taking place. One third of the low-interest loan will help install an elevator and make the building handicapped accessible. The remaining $40,000 will go toward facade improvements.
Under the plan, The flaking white paint will be removed and the entire structure will be tuck-pointed. The ornate cornice will also be restored and a new coat of fresh paint applied to the structure. A new storefront and new windows (Kurtis won’t be so happy about that one) will also be installed.
The Louisville Chemical Building is one of the nicest buildings in the area yet to see development activity and hopefully a few retail outlets will eventually fill up along the sidewalk to help the East Market Street corridor expand into the surrounding neighborhood.
Two other loans were announced today. The Browning’s Brewery & Restaurant in Slugger Field will open again under new management with the help of a $100,000 loan and a group of investors will repair a building on Bardstown Road near Eastern Parkway with a $57,300 loan. New development all over town.
- What’s The Louisville Chemical Building Trying To Say? (Broken Sidewalk)
- Louisville Chemical Building Ponders Future (Broken Sidewalk)
