The appropriate authorities can now determine whether converting the empty Frankfort Roundhouse into a conduit for potential businesses would economically benefit the region.
Frankfort City Council members unanimously approved Monday a request from Dave Little and Shan Sheridan, president and vice president of the Frankfort-Midwest Rail Heritage Trust, to apply for a community development block planning grant.
“This obligation involves absolutely no tax dollars,” Sheridan told the council. “The grant could produce up to $50,000.”
Council members first chose to table a vote at an April 13 meeting.
Throughout the last several months, those in favor of a transformation project unveiled their vision for the roundhouse property. Museums, a business facility and lodging are among the thoughts considered most often.
Sheridan and Little stated their case for the council via a film screen presentation.
“It (the roundhouse) is a neglected monument of days gone by in the rail community,” Sheridan said. “We believe we can make a large improvement in the community ... Today we are in a critical step of the process.”
Citing a Ball State University study, resurrection of the decayed building might infuse up to $3 million in tax revenue per year to the county, Sheridan said.
Sheridan, the chamber of commerce vice president, invited council members on May 12 to Aurora, Ill., for a discussion session at Walter Payton’s Roundhouse. There, they can educate themselves on outstanding points of confusion.
Frankfort Mayor Chris Pippenger still wondered about how to fund the clean up process around the facility. Little, though, came armed with a response.
“As soon as we get the lease,” he said, “we have somebody who is ready to stay there and live there.”
To invigorate the community’s take on possible restoration, the men brought along several people, including Cindy Cacy of Shoup’s Country Foods.
“I really do think it would be a great thing for the city of Frankfort to be a destination location,” she informed the council.
Sometimes, Cacy said, certain businesses opt out of Clinton County because of a lack of venues and space.
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