Historic district discussed in Batesville

Debbie Blank

A majority of property owners within the proposed Central Batesville Historic District must be in favor of being listed on the National Register of Historic Places in order for city leaders to submit an application, Kent Abraham told about 10 meeting attendees Dec. 9.

The Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana southeastern field representative observed, “You have a traditional Main Street. Like all Main Streets in the Midwest and across the country, it is challenged with its uses. Having a tool like this in place is, I think, paramount. It's not the magic bullet, but one arrow in the quiver to meet those challenges.”

To be classified as a historic district, Batesville’s area must be at least 50 years old, be significant either because of architecture or because a famous person lived or stayed there and exhibit integrity.

The register contains two types of listings: an individual site, such as the recently-approved Versailles courthouse; or a designated district of residential, commercial or a mix of structures with boundaries, such as areas within the river towns of Rising Sun, Aurora and Lawrenceburg.

Abraham found it "kind of odd" that so far no Batesville buildings appear on the register at all.

Indiana maintains a state register that mirrors National Register of Historic Places listings, he reported.

If the effort moves ahead, the State Historic Preservation Office would be the lead agency in helping Batesville get the designation.

A nomination would be drafted in 2010, probably by a private consultant. “It will take some professionalism to get a district done,” Abraham advised.

To pay for the extra help, the city has applied for a matching 50/50 federal grant administered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology.

SHPO would then review and comment on the draft before its citizens review board would make hopefully a favorable recommendation to the National Park Service, which oversees the National Register. If all goes well, Batesville could have an approved historic district in 2011.

The map of the proposed district is "not very nice and neat," he admitted. The area would include the two blocks bordered by East Pearl and South streets and Park and Eastern avenues; two blocks surrounded by Park Avenue and Catherine, Main and George streets; and an odd-shaped area that includes some, but not all properties within Main, Catherine and Vine streets and Boehringer Avenue plus the Snikkers & Peanuts and Gibson Theatre buildings.

It excludes Batesville Shopping Village, which no longer contains older structures.

Could the designation be financially lucrative? While “there is no pot of gold,” the field rep added, “It sets the table for opportunities that may come along in the future.”

For example, an investor could receive a 20 percent federal tax credit for substantial rehabilitation, such as a factory converted to another use. “These must be income-producing properties ... that's the whole point, to keep properties on the tax rolls.”

It also could improve chances for the local government and nonprofits to gain federal grants.

For a building located within the district, gaining National Register status “does not impinge upon property rights. It does not restrict the property's sale. It does not demand public access or promote sites.” The question Abraham answers the most from residential owners is whether there are any grants available for private vintage properties. The answer is no.

Attendees posed other questions.

Doug Bessler, owner of The Sherman House, asked if all structures within the district are automatically listed. The speaker said yes, but they would be labeled as contributing and noncontributing. “Modern buildings will be noncontributing.”

Bessler questioned, “Can the district be an attraction?" His application for the historic restaurant to be listed as an attraction on Indiana Department of Transportation signs was denied. Signs near Batesville do list Sisters of St. Francis and Ertel Cellars Winery. Abraham believed a National Register listing “would help ... It can't hurt."

He added that The Sherman House could be eligible for an individual listing, but National Register officials “tend to frown upon double dipping.”

Kevin Krekeler, account executive at Maverick Insurance, 4 W. Pearl St., within the district, asked, “Do investors (seeking the 20 percent tax break) contact the city?” Abraham responded, “I don't think the word gets out quite like that. The city has to be aggressive” in marketing buildings.

Bob Fitzpatrick, administrative board chairperson of the Batesville United Methodist Church, 106 S. Park Ave., within the district, questioned if it would be advantageous for the church to be included. According to the speaker, “There have been some religious entities .... that have received federal grant dollars for rehabilitation.”

Janet Shields, whose husband, Jack, practices law at 10 W. Pearl St., said, “It's hard to imagine that my building has any historic value ... There's nothing special about it.” She asked if the building would have any restrictions. None, Abraham assured, unless they received a tax credit or grant, which has strings attached.

Shields continued, “If I want to change the facade of my building, I can do what I want?” Abraham said yes.

Debbie Blank can be contacted at 812-934-4343, Ext. 113; or debbie.blank@ batesvilleheraldtribune.com.

Text Only