Community Center sells vacant lot on Town Square

The Community Center of Hope has sold the vacant lot on the north side of the Town Square to Ben and Laura Miller. 

Ben Miller says that they have no immediate plans for the lot at 316 Jackson Street. WiLLow LeaVes of Hope, which is owned by his wife and her sisters, is next door and Miller said it seemed like a good purchase for possible future expansion.

"It never hurts to have a little bit of breathing room, if necessary," Ben Miller said. "But at this point, right now, I really have no plans for it at all, except just to have it."

He joked that someone may want to use it for a Studebaker dealership now that the town has a Studebaker parts company.

He said Hope residents should see no changes. 

Miller said he had spoken to the owners of Swiss Maid and they will be allowed to continue to use the property for outdoor furniture display.

Jeff Yarnell, with the community center board, said that the funds from the sale of the property will be used to help the center become more financially stable. A portion will also be used for the renovation of the old Hope School Gymnasium, which the center also owns. 

Donju Taylor, with Carpenter Realtors, posted on Facebook that the property sold for $40,000. According to Bartholomew County property records, the .43 acre site is valued at $5,800 for tax assessment purchase. The location of the former Clouse family IGA grocery store, when the building still stood there the land and building together were valued at $43,800 in 2013.