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Redevelopment planned for Greenwood shopping center

GREENWOOD, Ind. (WISH) — A shopping center in Greenwood will be getting a face lift.

This week the Greenwood Redevelopment Commission approved half a million dollars for the renovation of a retail area.

The buildings downtown are currently being renovated, but there’s a retail center just east on Main Street that is next on the list.

It’s going to be a shared cost with a very popular local restaurant.

“I’ve always called southside and Greenwood my home,” Oaken Barrel Brewery Co. Owner Kwang Casey said.

When Casey opened Oaken Barrel Brewery 22 years ago, he chose to plant roots in southside soil.

“I took a chance opening a brewery in Greenwood and I am indebted to the city, the people around southside and Greenwood, for supporting me these 22 years I’ve been in business,” he said.

Oaken Barrel was only the second local microbrewery in the state when it opened.

His business has been growing rapidly and he’s had offers to move.

“I’ve been offered offers from other cities to open a second location or maybe even moving this location somewhere else, but I feel my roots are here and I want to stay here,” he said.

But the building where Oaken Barrel is located was built in the 80’s and is showing its age.

“We are hoping to refresh the building with new siding, new windows, new curbs,” he said.

They are planning to build a beer garden in the front of the restaurant.

He and local developer Bemis Group are actually buying the whole shopping complex and plan to do a complete overhaul.

He’s getting $500,000  from the Redevelopment Commission to help.

“This is what Redevelopment Commissions are all about,” Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers said, “It’s to take something that’s not in good shape, bring it back up to par again.”

Casey said the extra funds will help move the process along faster than he expected.

“With the help from the city, we can make immediate changes right away,” Casey said, “The five year plan becomes a two year plan.”

This building is also in a critical spot in Greenwood.

It’s along Main St. on the way to downtown from the I-65 exit.

The mayor said this renovation will become part of the holistic plan to make the city more attractive.

“We’re going to build this area up and work more towards the interstate to build that gateway up and to beautify it and make it look like something we want people to see coming into the city,” he said.

At the RDC meeting Tuesday, the commission also approved another half a million dollars for the next phase of downtown revitalization.

Local businesses can apply for money to renovate their buildings.

For more information on that project, click here.