Dan McGowan // Senior Writer & Reporter //INside Indiana Business
The mayor of Martinsville says a new downtown development will help the city be a life-long home for its residents. Shannon Kohl has announced the $8.4 million Retreat at Mineral Springs project, which will transform three historic downtown buildings into a 38 units of senior housing. The work will re-purpose the old Martinsville Sanitarium, Morgan County Sheriff’s Residence and Jail and Kivett’s Five and Dime buildings. The city is working with Indianapolis-based Flaherty & Collins Properties and the Community Service Center of Morgan County on the adaptive use effort.
Kohl calls the project a “big shot in the arm” for ongoing downtown revitalization efforts.
The former sanitarium, or Old Kennedy Home, was a destination years ago for travelers at the end of the 1800s through the mid-19th Century to bathe in and drink the waters in the city. Morgan County Parks and Recreation says it was at one time home to 11 mineral water sanitariums.
The adaptive use project was first detailed in 2014 and its scope has since changed. Kohl says “The Retreat at Mineral Springs will provide high-quality senior housing for this cherished segment of our population while at the same time preserving and reusing historic structural assets in our community. It is a win-win all the way around. This development is a first step in creating momentum for more growth and progress in our downtown and our community overall.”
Flaherty & Collins Properties says plans call for studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments for residents who are 55 and older. Vice President of Development Julie Collier says “this is an exciting project for us and we’re glad to finally be at this point. We believe this is a very positive project for Martinsville. We’re able to preserve some well-recognized local historic assets while also providing senior housing.”
Work is expected to wrap up by the end of next year.