Several times a day, Shelbyville Mayor Tom DeBaun makes his way around the circle and through the downtown area of his city, knowing something must be done.
However, that "something" remains up in the air, according to the mayor.
"We have talked to some cities and towns that are in the process of redeveloping their downtown areas. You look at what's going on in Franklin and other areas. I wish I had money to throw at it, but we will figure out a plan for downtown and get input from the community," DeBaun said.
DeBaun has heard the stories of how downtown used to be busy with shoppers shoulder-to-shoulder on sidewalks, but he wonders if that is a thing of the past.
"How much of your Christmas shopping did you do online? I don't see a lot of people out and about, but if we had something to draw them in, maybe it would be different," DeBaun said.
DeBaun is also aware of national and state perceptions that a busy downtown is critical for success for a city.
"It is vital to have a vibrant downtown. Not only to the downtown, but to investment throughout the community. The last three economic development projects we've hosted for visits in the community have asked the same questions - how are your schools performing; are you investing in parks and quality of life initiatives such as trails; and, is your downtown important to the administration and does local government support the downtown? For them, it's about their workforce. Can they attract the talent they need to be sustainable? Is Shelbyville a community they'd want to live in and, in turn, then ask their employees to live in? It is very important," DeBaun said.
Downtown Shelbyville features restaurants, businesses, banks and the prominent circle, but there is something missing, according to DeBaun.
Whether that is having a suitor for the Methodist Building or something else, DeBaun said something has to happen.
"In a perfect world, the Methodist Building would be filled. We haven't found that one thing to kick it off, and I am trying to find out what that dynamic could be, whether it's a brewery or a market," he said.
DeBaun added that it is "important" to have something in that facility.
"I think it's important in the long run because of the vacancy in the tallest building downtown on a prominent corner. Ultimately, in a perfect scenario, I'd like no vacancies downtown, but I know that isn't realistic. It has great potential as a good mixed-use structure and the ground floor should be something that draws people. Mass is the key to success downtown. How we get people to congregate is the $64,000 question. Currently, the building is stable structurally and current in its taxes. Now, the city has invested considerable dollars to get it there and then some, so admittedly, the city and I would like to see some return on that investment. It serves as a lynchpin in any development strategy that is created, but certainly isn't our only option," DeBaun said.
Despite no suitor for the Methodist Building, there have been steps taken to promote and beautify the downtown area, namely the facade projects.
"They have added to aesthetic appeal, which is important. It is the same reason we have kept the lights on the trees downtown over the last three years. It adds value in the ambiance but probably not something that can be quantified in a dollar amount and weighed against the investment for a cost-benefit analysis. Feel has a value to both patrons of the downtown and those folks we want to run a business downtown. People have to feel warm and fuzzy to some degree or they won't spend their time and money there. If the facade improvements aren't made, it's less attractive and conveys a sense of neglect and disrepair," DeBaun said.
While he continues to search for ways to improve downtown, DeBaun said he has heard from senior citizens and millennials and the desires are the same.
"We've heard about the silver tsunami and how we need to brace for an older community, but the younger community wants the same thing - parks, a viable downtown. The seniors and millennials want to live in a city that has a mixed-use neighborhood," DeBaun said.