News : Update on the Braille School Campus

Jeff Garner the Operations Manager for Hobart Historic Restoration was on hand Tuesday to speak with and answer some questions concerning the old Braille School property, Garner began with a bit of an introduction about himself. He was formerly an eye doctor for 30 year so he is very familiar with the Braille School. He said that he retired just before the COVID pandemic hit so he felt that was fortunate for him. Following his retirement, the Hobarts contacted Garner and asked him to join the team, so he did. He recapped the acquisition of the property by Hobart's in November of 2020. The Old Hospital Pub was the first project on the list for the company. He said that the company was able to get some funding to help get the restaurant up and running. Of course, as is the case with most restaurants, staffing has been an issue. He was asked if the pub will be adding things like steaks, but Garner explained that right now the menu is being redone and he's not sure, but the new manager is working on a new menu.Garner guessed that the next project will be turning the barn into an event center. Again with supply chains right now there is no guarantee when that might be started. He suspects that it won't be until after this summer. He explained that a real estate company has taken over listing the available lots along 13th St. Right now he said that people have a problem envisioning the property without the streets on the property, but that is in the works with the city. The city just finalized the Mary Ingalls Subdivision plat at this week's council meeting. Garner also noted that there are 3 commercial lots available along Highway 218. One of those has been sold he said to a "general merchandising store" but could not share the name of the company with the audience.He said that there will also be solar installed behind the main building across from the Pub in the area where the former playground was located. The plan is to power most of the campus from this area.Right now Garner explained that Americorp rents more than half of the campus. The company has to plan renovations around their stay. They have to plan around the areas that Americorp is using while somehow renovate the property. He said that they'd like to be able to contain Americorp into one location rather than the four or five different locations on the campus. The contract with the group is on a five year lease with the option for more.He fielded questions about the pool on the property He explained that the Aquatic Club, both the boys and girls swim teams and Parks and Rec use the pool. He said there aren't plans to do anything with the pool right now and explained that right now it costs quite a bit to just keep it going.He couldn't say for sure, but when asked about the plans for the main building, he believes that it will become apartments and condos. Garner explained that the school is not on the National Registry of Historic Places to the surprise of those in attendance. He explained that if it were, they might be able to get more funding. He explained that with the registry they try to put new things into the same, but usually smaller places, when a property is on the registry and that there are companies that specialize in that. While progress might appear to be slow the company is completing several projects that the public wouldn't notice on the outside.