EVANSVILLE - A city government panel on Tuesday cleared up two matters which officials say could pave the way for a long-awaited renovation of the former McCurdy Hotel on Evansville’s Riverfront.
The Kunkel Group, owner of the historic property, plans to establish 113 apartments while also renovating its lobby for retail or rental use. The project is expected to cost $9-$10 million.
The Redevelopment Commission voted 4-0 to forgive an outstanding mortgage with the McCurdy’s former owner, Center City, and to extend a license agreement on an adjacent parking lot to the time of Kunkel’s construction loan.
Kunkel’s attorney, Sean Sullivan, notified city officials via a letter last week that the company had secured a loan to start the project.
The McCurdy has sat vacant for several years, amassing numerous code violations and unpaid taxes. But Kunkel in recent months has caught up on the taxes, according to city officials.
“This is as big or even a bigger save than the Owen Block,” said Kelley Coures, Department of Metropolitan Development director.
Redevelopment Commission member Mike Schopmeyer abstained from voting because of prior legal work he had done on Center City’s behalf.
Also Tuesday, the Redevelopment Commission voted 5-0 to open negotiations with a firm that will do a Downtown master plan. The firm chosen was Progressive Urban Management Associates of Denver, which will work on the plan with Rundell Erntsberger Associates of Louisville and Hafer Associates of Evansville.
Although Tuesday’s meeting agenda said a contract would be awarded, city officials said the Redevelopment Commission’s vote was only to negotiate with PUMA. The firm was one of three finalists to do the Downtown master plan, which is to be completed in about six months.
“We’re going to listen, learn and collaborate,” said Jeff Justice, president of Hafer Associates.