MUNCIE — The first floor of the Lofts at Roberts building — the former Roberts Hotel — could become ground zero in an effort to draw young, tech-oriented business people to downtown Muncie.
The city of Muncie is hoping efforts to create the Downtown Muncie Innovation Zone — a spin-off of the local Innovation Connector business incubator — will not only lead to a new work space downtown but create more demand to just be a part of downtown.
The Innovation Zone is close to what is likely to develop into a bustling section of downtown. The Lofts at Roberts building overlooks what will soon turn into a work zone: Construction is set to begin in August on a $40 million Courtyard by Marriott, a six-story, 150-room hotel and hospitality industry training center for the disabled. The Courtyard, being built by Arc Innovations, is set to open late summer/early fall of 2015.
The city is also planning an August start of construction for an $8 million parking garage to serve the hotel and Horizon Convention Center. The city also owns land near the site of the hotel that it hopes to use to attract more development.
“This will be a vital part of downtown,” said Ted Baker, executive director of the Innovation Connector. “We want to be where the action is.”
Although work is ongoing, the Innovation Zone project could cost more than $300,000 and be complete this fall. In recent months, the Muncie Redevelopment Commission approved payment of more than $300,000 and $18,000 to Pridemark Construction and Advanced Walls and Ceilings, respectively, for remodeling and finishing the MRC-owned space on the first floor.
Copyright ©2024 The Star Press