Tax credit will bolster plan for downtown Salem

SALEM -- A former pillar of commerce downtown is set to rise again with a new lease on life with a little help from the state.

"I think the project is very exciting, receiving the credit really allows us to do a lot more than we otherwise could on this project," said property owner Joe Hovorka.

Originally constructed in 1924 the property at 138 S. Broadway Ave., which had its addition located at 146 S. Broadway constructed in 1956, proudly served the Salem community as the Schwartz Department Store until the 1990s. Now with the help of a $156, 274 Historic Preservation Tax Credit from the state, the current property owner looks to preserve and restore many of the building's historic features.

Hovorka said that the historic external facade on the second floor was going to be preserved and restored to the state it would have been in when first constructed in 1924, and that a new canvas awning will be installed on the exterior in the same style as the one that adorned the building in the 1950s. Hovorka said that while many of the historical features of the building's interior had since been removed by prior owners, those elements that remained, including sections of ceiling dating back to the 1950s, were being preserved.

Hovorka said that some initial construction elements for the purposes of preventing further damage to the property had already been completed since he purchased the property last summer, but that construction had otherwise been halted as part of the application process which began in March. Hovorka said that amongst these stabilization efforts were extensive internal cleaning on the first floor and basement, and the installation of an entirely new roof in place of the previous, damaged roof.

Hovorka said that it is his hope to submit the renovation plan to the recently proposed city building department in July, and that construction on the project is planned to resume as soon as the necessary documents are approved.

Hovorka said that the basement and first floor will house new businesses and that the second floor will be converted into an apartment unit. The building already has three tenants lined up with the Underground Break Room setting up shop in the basement to let community members try their hand at axe throwing and let loose some pent-up aggression in their eponymous break rooms, the Black Cat Cafe offering baked goods and comfort food on the first floor, in addition to a new craft beer and wine business which Hovorka said doesn't have a name yet.