By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
The new owner of the old Huntington Bank Building, in downtown Bowling Green said he had expected that the economic development offices that had occupied the downstairs space would stay.
Bob Maurer, whose company Maurer Rentals, purchased the Four Corners Center in November from the City of Bowling Green, said the entities including the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce got “a whale of good deal offered by Huntington.”
Those entities – the chamber, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, which is now operated by the chamber, Bowling Green Economic Development, The Downtown Bowling Green Special Improvement District, The Downtown Foundation and Welcome BG – will open in new offices at 221 S. Church St. on Feb. 1.
“It’s a super good deal” Maurer said. And that’s a benefit for those entities.
They occupied the large lobby area and space on the second floor.
“We don’t have any future plans. We have to take a look at it,” Maurer said. “It’s a good solid building.”
Whether the space be totally revamped, or remain as it is, is still a question.
The upstairs floors house offices for various businesses, though number of tenants have not renewed their leases after Maurer purchased the property.
“Right now, we’re leaving them there,” he said.
Maurer said he doesn’t plan on increasing the rent, though the cost for utilities may go up.
“We’re just looking at that,” he said. “Hopefully we can come up with something that can benefit everyone.”
They’re “good tenants,” he said, and over the next 60-90 days or so arrangements will be worked out.
That could include fixing up the offices.
Geoff Howes, a retired professor who works as a translator, said he was skeptical at first, especially after a snafu over the changing of locks. But he said he’s be reassured by his conversation with Maurer.
The city had purchased the building, at 130 S. Main St., in 2019 for $632,000 as part of a multi-property deal. Maurer purchased the building in November for $632,000.
In a press release issued by the Chamber and other entities, the organizations started looking for space once they knew the building was sold. Kati Thompson, executive director of Bowling Green Economic Development, said the intent was to keep all the entities together as they have been for the five years they occupied the Four Corners Center.
In addition to the offices, the downstairs space has been used for art exhibits, presented by Bowling Green Schools and the BG Arts Council. The outdoor foyer serves as a performance stage for the Black Swamp Arts Festival.
