MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — The proposed TIF district for the rehabilitation of 123 N. Main Street in downtown Mitchell was met with unanimous support at Monday’s city council meeting.

Public comments were also in favor. John Adamo is the developer. He has done several rehabilitation projects on historical buildings in the downtown district. This latest undertaking is projected to cost over $2.5 million with the TIF district designed to help support the project to the tune of only $190,000.

The building used to be a bank. The inside entrance facing what was the vault has some water damage along the roof. Peeling and weather damage can be seen on the staircase looking up to the second floor. More problems show up near the side entrance on the first level.
The second and third floors are in even worse shape. The wood floors from the third story have been warped by water and are in the process of collapsing into the second level. The engineer’s estimate puts stabilization of the property at about $500,000. The construction will take another $2 million.

The goal is to turn the ground level into retail space. The second and third floors would be converted into six Airbnb short-term stay units.
In other business news, the council also unanimously approved a liquor license for the Mitchell Pizza Hut.

Downtown Plans for Summer Coming Into Focus

During the opening public comment period, Mitchell Main Street and Beyond Executive Director Liz Luczak talked about plans for July’s First Friday event. Organizers are encouraging everyone to wear red, white, and blue as it will take place the day before the Fourth of July.

Council approved two special event permits. On August 8th, the group Doctor Feelgood will be having a street concert on Main Street. The road will be closed from 4:00 to 11:00 p.m. between 5th and 7th Avenues. The concert is being sponsored by Bradley’s Pub and Grille. All proceeds raised from the show will go to charity.

The following Wednesday, August 12th, is the Mitchell Area United Way Day of Caring fundraiser. The group will run the event at Hitchcock Park from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Day of Caring supports several local nonprofits and causes in Mitchell.

Rezoning Requests

One of two rezoning requests voted down by the Planning Commission last week was pulled before coming before council. The owner of a new home being built in the 600 block of W. Pine Avenue had asked for the setback to his property be relaxed to four feet instead of the eight feet required in that neighborhood.

A proposal from Harris Properties LLC to rezone the parcel on the southwest corner of W. Elm Avenue and S. Iowa Street received a first reading. Harris would like it to be switched from high-density residential to highway-oriented business district. The group already owns a business suite immediately to the south that sits along Havens Avenue. This measure would allow them to build a second small business incubator in the vacant corn field next door.

So far, 11 neighbors have written to the city against the idea with three in support. Both sides spoke on Monday. The issue will be discussed again in July with a final decision from the council likely then.