Mar 8th, 2017 · by Jennifer Antonik
As spring begins to bloom in Milford, so do the ideas of entrepreneurs focused on downtown revitalization.
“The outlook is very optimistic with what’s happening downtown,” City Manager Eric Norenberg said. “It’s fun to keep up with so many great things happening right now.”
The Milford City Council saw several applicants during its meeting Monday, Feb. 27 seeking approval for conditional uses of their properties.
Michael and Denise Rivera were the first applicants seen for a public hearing. He owns the Bank House located at 119 North Walnut St. It currently occupies tenants; however, he hopes to turn it into a bed and breakfast after renovations.
“It’s a wonderful old home. I’m glad I was able to keep it. I’ve been involved in it for 30 years. I’ve been, eight years, trying to figure out what to do with it,” he said.
Although the building itself is “a monster” as Mr. Rivera called it during the meeting, he has high hopes of its future in downtown Milford.
Plans for the home include four bedrooms, a suite for the innkeeper and a three-car garage with additional off-street parking. The business would include one cook, one groundskeeper and two managers/owners.
Renovations will partly be paid for through grant money as the building rests within Milford’s newly established Downtown Development District.
The council passed the motion to approve the conditional use unanimously.
Council member Lisa Ingram Peel said, “I’m a lover of historic homes, too, so I appreciate someone taking a chance and restoring it.”
Mildred Pederson’s application for a conditional use of her property located on the corner of South East Front and South Walnut Streets was also heard by council members and the public.
She opened a second location for her business, Josephine Keir, in downtown Milford in 2015 after being in business for 28 years.
Currently, the building is used for commercial retail only; however, her application requested approval to add an apartment upstairs.
According to Rob Pierce, the apartment would take up the entire second floor of the building which he anticipates will be occupied by Ms. Pederson herself.
Council member Jaime Burk motioned to approve the ordinance after a public hearing, adding that the addition was a “smart use of the space” and would help maintain a historical building.
The council passed the motion to approve the conditional use unanimously.
The last of three public hearings was seen on behalf of Milford Plaza Enterprises which currently houses restaurants, retail stores, a grocery store and several banks.
Expressing interest from Valvoline, a global company offering motor oil and instant oil change service, the applicant sought a change of use from commercial retail to commercial retail with an auto repair and/or service station.
The proposed Valvoline station would employ eight to ten local persons and would follow all necessary safety protocols, according to Mr. Pierce.
Local realtor Michael Moyer said during the public hearing, “This is an amenity we don’t have. I think it’s a positive step. As a realtor, when I give a tour of Milford, they talk about this.”
Council member Katrina Wilson noted similar services offered at Walmart and Firestone, both located in Milford.
Other local businesses have also announced upcoming changes:
The owners of the new Touch of Italy location at the former M&T Bank continue to renovate the building in anticipation of a springtime opening as the city works on the parking lot, according to Mr. Norenberg.
The Mispillion Art League is in the beginning stages of expanding into the building immediately behind the current facility.
The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Milford also plans to move downtown.
With the help of Downtown Development District grants and other funding, Davis, Bowen and Friedel are continuing their upgrades at the former Milford Skating Center.
In all, more than $3 million in committed private dollars have been invested in downtown Milford, according to Mr. Pierce, with another $464,734 in public state grant funds awarded or reserved.
“It’s incredible to think that we’re doing so much with so little public funding,” he said.