The Lincoln County Economic Development Foundation (LCEDF) is seeking bids from contractors to convert and rehabilitate a long-vacant downtown Lincoln building into a suite of four private, move-in ready offices.
Located at 127 W. Lincoln Avenue, the building was constructed around 1915. The first known tenant was Star Café. Subsequently, a number of different taverns occupied the space. Skelgas occupied the building in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The last known occupant was nearly 30 years ago when a church called the building home. Since, the building has been vacant and fallen into an extreme state of disrepair.
In early 2020, LCEDF purchased the building through the county’s tax foreclosure sale for $500. Stabilizing the building was the top priority. To date, work completed includes replacing the roof, reconstruction of the collapsed floor, repointing the back masonry wall and the installation of two new windows and a door at the back of the building.
Currently, LCEDF is looking toward the future and using the building as a way to create opportunity for business growth in the county. By creating office suites, new business owners will have an affordable and low-risk option as they start-up.
“Many times over the years I’ve had startup business owners ask about available space to rent,” said LCEDF Director, Kelly Gourley. “Unfortunately, most of the time their only options have been to purchase a big building and make major renovations first. That’s a heavy financial burden and risk for someone just getting started.”
The office suites will feature exposed limestone walls with access to a shared
“LCEDF” page 6 kitchenette and bathroom. The largest office includes a storefront window and could be used for retail purposes.
“We hope all a small business owner has to do is walk in the office, turn on the light and get to work,” Gourley said.
Funding for the project is coming from a Building a Stronger Community 2.0 (BASE) grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce (KDOC). The BASE grant was originally awarded to the City of Lincoln to assist with the planned Applequist Manufacturing Inc. project in the city’s industrial park, however, with the project put on hold for a year, they would not have been able to fulfill the requirements of the grant. Faced with having to decline the funds, LCEDF quickly worked with the City to request the $144,900 in grant funds be transferred to the downtown project. That request was approved by KDOC in June.
LCEDF is now fast-tracking the renovation project. Bids from contractors are due to the LCEDF Monday, August 12 at 10:00 a.m. Full bid documents are available at www. livelincolncounty.com/127-office-project.
Small business owners interested in leasing an office should contact Gourley at 785-524-8954 or locedfdirector@outlook. com.
