Downtown Terre Haute Bouncing Back

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SycamoreStateofMind

SycamoreStateofMind

The Odum Level
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http://www.wthitv.com/dpp/news/local/downtown-terre-haute-on-the-comeback-trail

Pretty decent story here by news 10 - doesn't probably tell the full story, doesn't mention several business that have moved downtown other than the ones they chose to highlight and fails to mention that Mike Ellis still has a building in downtown Terre Haute that is an absolute shitter and needs torn down. I don't know how the city of Terre Haute can't force him to clean his shit up - the building had a major fire over 5 years ago now and has sat vacant ever since and that's just in sane...

I would say that downtown TH is far from all the way back, but they have really bounced back. Business are taking interest in downtown Terre Haute and people are coming to the city again. Amazing the possibilities when the biggest university in town actually embraces that part of campus and makes personal investment in it.

Let's hope it continues in this less than favorable economy.
 

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I agree I think downtown Terre Haute is really turning the corner, although it still has a ways to go there are definitely noticeable improvements. I think it is great that Indiana State and downtown Terre Haute are working together.
 
I remember as a child coming to downtown Terre Haute and being amazed at the "Big City" atmosphere. I was always impressed with the elevators operated by a store employee that transported you to the upper floors at Root's and Meis department stores.
Everything you wanted to shop for was downtown:clothing, shoe stores, jewelry, hardware, restaurants, drugstores, etc.. But parking wasn't convenient, so marketing guru's developed shopping malls where you could find one big parking lot and shop from store to store under roof and void of inclement weather.
Who all remembers the Goodie Shop? Loved that place with the wide variety of foods and desserts available all in one place. It was always a destination after a day in the "Big City".
Hopefully downtown will make a comeback. Remember, life, trends, fads and economies run in cycles. Maybe the time is right for a comeback.
I've always believed that if more students remained on campus over the weekends that would help to revitalize the downtown area. That in itself wouldn't be sufficient, but it sure would help.
Whatever the motivation and stimulus is now to giving a shot in the arm to garner a serious look at revitalization, let's hope that it takes root.

GO SYCAMORES!!
 
Those were the days. I loved the Goodie Shop. I still hate the Sears at the mall. Once, when I was little and was looking at toys just around the corner from my parents, security came by and took everyone in the aisle to the back of the store. Turns out, some punk had stolen a watch from the jewelry counter and had went to the toy aisle to make his way out. They included several of us in the grand interrogation. I was scared out of my mind. I was crying uncontrollably. Even though I hadn't done anything, they wouldn't page my folks. They literally abducted me. When they finally released me to my parents, I had been through a long terrifying ordeal. I still can't figure why my parents weren't outraged. To this day, I feel that was mishandled terribly by security.
 
Downtown needs a big sports bar/family dining restaurant a la Scotty's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Champs... Something like that is sorely missing and would be huge with the hotels/hulman center/ISU all right there. I'm surprised nothing that that has happened yet.
 
sycamorestateofmind said:
http://www.wthitv.com/dpp/news/local/downtown-terre-haute-on-the-comeback-trail

pretty decent story here by news 10 - doesn't probably tell the full story, doesn't mention several business that have moved downtown other than the ones they chose to highlight and fails to mention that mike ellis still has a building in downtown terre haute that is an absolute shitter and needs torn down. I don't know how the city of terre haute can't force him to clean his shit up - the building had a major fire over 5 years ago now and has sat vacant ever since and that's just in sane...

i would say that downtown th is far from all the way back, but they have really bounced back. Business are taking interest in downtown terre haute and people are coming to the city again. Amazing the possibilities when the biggest university in town actually embraces that part of campus and makes personal investment in it.

Let's hope it continues in this less than favorable economy.
Click to expand...

love it!
 

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LoyalAlum said:
Downtown needs a big sports bar/family dining restaurant a la Scotty's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Champs... Something like that is sorely missing and would be huge with the hotels/hulman center/ISU all right there. I'm surprised nothing that that has happened yet.
Click to expand...

I've always wanted to buy the Glidden store, and put a Jillians, Dave and Busters, Hot Shots or Hooters in it.

Alas, I have no money and it's not for sale... ;-)
 
Chief_Quabachi said:
I remember as a child coming to downtown Terre Haute and being amazed at the "Big City" atmosphere. I was always impressed with the elevators operated by a store employee that transported you to the upper floors at Root's and Meis department stores.
Everything you wanted to shop for was downtown:clothing, shoe stores, jewelry, hardware, restaurants, drugstores, etc.. But parking wasn't convenient, so marketing guru's developed shopping malls where you could find one big parking lot and shop from store to store under roof and void of inclement weather.
Who all remembers the Goodie Shop? Loved that place with the wide variety of foods and desserts available all in one place. It was always a destination after a day in the "Big City".
Hopefully downtown will make a comeback. Remember, life, trends, fads and economies run in cycles. Maybe the time is right for a comeback.
I've always believed that if more students remained on campus over the weekends that would help to revitalize the downtown area. That in itself wouldn't be sufficient, but it sure would help.
Whatever the motivation and stimulus is now to giving a shot in the arm to garner a serious look at revitalization, let's hope that it takes root.

GO SYCAMORES!!
Click to expand...

Loved the Goodie Shop; Henri's was pretty good too--all the fried chicken you could eat on Wednesday night for $1.25. While Henri's was not actually down town, it was a good part of the Terre Haute experience at the time.
 
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I "agree" with the story, but to say that more people than "ever" are downtown is just not true at all!!!!! It is improving, it is getting much better, but until some major businesses come besides small bars and restaurants that are "local" it isn't going to be the way it was or should be. I agree with a BW3s or Hooters type of restaurant, but also, something else needs to come in down there, shopping wise. Not just speciality type of stuff. If anyone has ever been to Clay Terrace in Carmel, downtown should be like that, but with more college bars...like a cross between Clay Terrace and Broadripple and TH would become a destination for the entire region (including Bloomington and West Laffy students). They are moving in the right direction for sure and proud to see it, but much, much work and "business" still needs to be done!
 
A really good and popular microbrewery with a nice restaurant would go great downtown. Moggers is nice but is no where on the scale of what I'm talking about. I visited the New Holland brewery in Holland, MI., and Founders brewery in Grand Rapids, MI., last week. If TH could get something on that level it would be a big hit.
 

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ISU will be a major catalyst in the resurgence of downtown Terre Haute, no doubt. Terre Haute is extremely lucky to have ISU downtown because if the school was located where Rose was or somewhere along the outskirts of town there would likely be little hope for reviving downtown.

With that being said, the foremost priority will be having a stable population body downtown. With ISU looking to enter into off-campus lease agreements south of Cherry in the "heart" of the downtown corridor, that's going to be the catalyst that will attract restaurants and potentially shopping retailers.

From the few months I just spent in Terre Haute, I'm pretty optimistic about the state of downtown moving forward. You have the University, Clabber Girl, new hotels, and a few bars and restaurants in addition to the First building. There is definitely potential to really revitalize the area and I think within 10-15 years things will be looking drastically different.
 
Downtown needs a nice, big CASINO!!! Even in the recession, I've never seen the parking lot at IndyLive in Shelbyville even close to empty!!! It's perfect - recession-proof commercial development!!! :bigsmile:
 
IndyTreeFan said:
Downtown needs a nice, big CASINO!!! Even in the recession, I've never seen the parking lot at IndyLive in Shelbyville even close to empty!!! It's perfect - recession-proof commercial development!!! :bigsmile:
Click to expand...

Other than putting money into the casino, what revenue would be generated from one? Most build their own hotels... they have discounted food inside.. I guess you have to gas up before you leave town...
 
In conjunction with this Riverscape project, I really think that TH can see some amazing things happen. As far as Downtown, goes it really has to become the destination for specific things. For example, restaurants, bars and shopping. I agree that ISU will be the catalyst.
 
It was in Sunday's Trib that 3 guys from B'town were reburbishing the old TWI building into an upscale loft apartment complex. One, two and three bedroom apartments with 40 parking spaces adjacent to the building.

A 3 BR will rent for $1600/monthly.

These guys feel the timing is right for the downtown area. let's hope they are correct.
 

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Eleven said:
Other than putting money into the casino, what revenue would be generated from one? Most build their own hotels... they have discounted food inside.. I guess you have to gas up before you leave town...
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Guess I need to add a "sarcasm meter" to posts where I try to be funny...:wordyo:
 
Chief_Quabachi said:
It was in Sunday's Trib that 3 guys from B'town were reburbishing the old TWI building into an upscale loft apartment complex. One, two and three bedroom apartments with 40 parking spaces adjacent to the building.

A 3 BR will rent for $1600/monthly.

These guys feel the timing is right for the downtown area. let's hope they are correct.
Click to expand...

$1600 a month... what's the current market rate for an apartment in The Haute?? $1600 sounds more like a Chicago rate...
 
Chief_Quabachi said:
It was in Sunday's Trib that 3 guys from B'town were reburbishing the old TWI building into an upscale loft apartment complex. One, two and three bedroom apartments with 40 parking spaces adjacent to the building.

A 3 BR will rent for $1600/monthly.

These guys feel the timing is right for the downtown area. let's hope they are correct.
Click to expand...

http://tribstar.com/news/x775918023/Right-fit-for-a-trendy-transformation

http://www.radiocitylofts.com/

I hope that $1600 is a typo...because the article states that 1 bedrooms will go for $775 and 2 bedrooms for $850.....quite a jump for 3 bedrooms.
 
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