L'burg, Batesville Historic Properties Will Get Facelifts

By Mike Perleberg Liberty Theater in Lawrenceburg is one of 17 historic properties to receive a exterior renovation and repair grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. Photo by Mike Perleberg, Eagle Country 99.3. (Lawrenceburg, Ind.) – State grants will aid the renovation and restoration of a couple local historic buildings. The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs’ Historic Renovation Grant Program is in its first year after it was created by state lawmakers in the 2016 legislative session. The program used to be called the Historic Tax Credit Program. Indiana Lieutenant Governor Eric Holcomb announced Thursday that 17 grants in 10 communities have been awarded for exterior renovations and repairs at historic buildings. Such renovations include roof replacement, masonry restoration, repair and replacement of windows, façade renovation, painting, storefront upgrades and rear entry improvements. The grants range from $10,500 up to $100,000. The Liberty Theater in Lawrenceburg is getting $34,405. The 780-seat theater first opened in 1930, but closed just 25 years later. It has since been converted to a retail space with tenants including United Way and Blacklist Skate Shop. The Sherman House in Batesville. File photo. The program has also granted $100,000 to update the exterior of the Sherman House in Batesville. The inn and restaurant on South Main Street first opened in 1865 as The Brinkman House. The restaurant closed in 2015, but reopened earlier this year under new ownership. HPH Hospitality has already financed other renovations at the historic property. “Indiana is full of historic properties that are being utilized to enhance their community’s quality of life and economy,” said Lt. Governor Holcomb. “Over the years, a number of historic properties have not been properly maintained and the Historic Renovation Grant Program gives communities the resources to restore them and truly better downtown economic development.” According to OCRA, applicants for the Historic Renovation Grant Program located within an Indiana Main Street or non-entitlement community have the opportunity to apply for project funding between $10,000 and $100,000 at a maximum request of 35% of the total eligible project cost. Eligible applicants include individual, partnership, firm, association, joint venture, limited liability company, corporation or non-profit affordable housing organization. For more information on the grant program, visit www.in.gov/ocra/hrgp.