It’s always informative and fun to chat with Mike Kopp of Lopp Real Estate. If those who persist in dismissing the prospects for downtown New Albany – against all escalating evidence to the contrary – would take the time to watch Mike and others like him, they’d be humming a different tune.
Mike asked if I’d post today on the topic of an idea he and John Dowell, owner of the New Albany Inn building and Kentuckiana Music Center at the corner of Market and Bank (and Bistro New Albany’s landlord), have been discussing recently with respect to the building’s mostly unused third floor.*
I’m happy to pass it along.
Based on interest expressed to Mike and John by several individuals, the current idea is to make the third floor rooms into an artists’ studio, with space available for lease. For insight into how such “creative space for hire” arrangements work elsewhere, look no further than the Mellwood Art and Entertainment Center’s “leasing information” page, and be aware that the rates to be charged if the New Albany Inn project comes to fruition will be lower.
Also know that the Bistro’s fine food and NABC beers are just downstairs …
Readers, if you’re interested in potentially leasing space, or if you know someone who may be, please pass this information along. Mike would like to know what you think, and he can be reached by e-mail here, or call him at J.W. Lopp Real Estate.
In addition to plans for the New Albany Inn building, Mike divulged that he’s having serious nibbles on the remaining 2/3 of the old tripartite Fair Store building opposite The Grand on the north side of Market, and that ongoing plans to put a blues and jazz music venue into the former antique mall space on State Street (by the throwback Firestone) are moving ahead according to schedule.
Go get ‘em, Mike. We’re all just riding on your coattails.
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* Much to my chagrin, I can't find a single archive photo of the New Albany Inn in its entirety, apparently having always aimed my camera at the ground floor bNA, and not anywhere else.
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5 comments:
It's a solid idea requiring minimal investment that, if successful, helps lay the foundation for complementary developments like galleries, restaurants, and residences. It's worked in many other communities, including the Phonenix Hill area east of downtown Louisville very recently.
Thanks to Mike and John for moving it forward.
At the now-defunct Artopia Center in Louisville, they used to have a general studio that was available for drawing and painting. Although drawing and painting classes were regularly held there, they also had weekly open sessions, where any interested artists or students could come and draw or paint for a few hours. The artists would pay a fee--I believe that it was four or five dollars--for each session that they attended. Models were provided, and paid from the fees that were generated.
This system seemed to work well at Artopia for a good while. A lot of good art work was generated, and those who could not or did not want to commit to operating a studio on their own had ample opportunity to let their creative juices flow. Perhaps that concept could work in New Albany too.
Mike is definitley the Donald Trump of New Albany these days....
I think Mike is a visionary of sorts, and really hope that he succeeds in pursuing his ideas for New Albany.
I played in bands with a John Dowell (he was a bass player) years ago. Anyone know if this JD is a musician?
Welcome, Todd, and thanks for reading.
Seeing as John's primariy business in his building is the Music Center, I'm guessing he may have been the guy, although in truth I don't know John well enough to know for sure.
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