The Shelby Foundation has reached a major milestone in its downtown revitalization project.

On June 12, the City of Shelby’s Historic Preservation Commission approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for the Foundation’s exterior design plans, and on June 18, the Foundation’s Board of Directors gave its final approval of the renderings — a key step forward in breathing new life into historic downtown properties.

With support from the entire board, the Foundation purchased the former Dick’s Furniture building (62/64 W. Main St.), the Sutter’s Home Furnishings building (70/72 W. Main St.), and the adjacent parcel at 65 Wall St. in March 2024. The vision is to rehabilitate these vacant properties into functional, vibrant spaces that support Shelby’s economic future.

“When we look at the mission of the Foundation, it’s for the betterment of the entire community,” said Carrie Kemerer, executive director of The Shelby Foundation. “This is one way we can help stimulate economic development.”

A Community-Driven Team

Leading the Foundation’s building committee is Tim Tarvin, former superintendent of Shelby City Schools, who didn’t hesitate when asked to get involved.

“I was honored to be invited to help lead this effort,” Tarvin said. “This is a community I’ve invested in for years, and this project gives us an opportunity to do something lasting.”

Tarvin is joined on the committee by Nathan Sautter, Jim McKinney, Jason McCoy, and Randy Donnamiller.

After interviewing several firms, the committee selected Brad Mauer, Mansfield-based Mauer Architectural Design Studio (MAD Studio) to lead design efforts.

“Brad has helped guide us every step of the way,” said Kemerer. “His deep understanding of historic preservation and eye for adaptive reuse has been key to developing this vision.”

The Foundation also engaged Appleseed Building Company to provide demolition services, following several months of environmental abatement including lead-based paint and asbestos removal.

Now nearing the end of demolition, the buildings are nearly ready for their next chapter.

“We’re getting to the exciting part,” Kemerer said. “Once the interior is cleared, we’ll be looking at a blank slate — and a future full of possibility.”

Partnership with Historic Preservation

From the beginning, the Foundation has worked in close partnership with the Shelby Historic Preservation Commission, a volunteer body tasked with preserving the city’s architectural heritage.

The Foundation presented initial renderings to the Historic Preservation Commission in May, receiving conditional approval based on exterior paint usage. After further refinement, full approval was granted on June 12. The certificate confirms that the design meets the architectural integrity required by the Commission, which is tasked with ensuring that renovations align with the historical character and original design of downtown Shelby.

“They’ve been incredible to work with,” Kemerer said. “They asked thoughtful questions, were excited about our renderings, and they’ve truly been a partner walking alongside us in this process. It’s been a very positive experience.”

The Commission, chaired by Kate Curren, recently led efforts to establish local design guidelines for the historic district, which were officially adopted by Shelby City Council in May 2024. These guidelines are based on the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and were developed in partnership with Perspectus Architecture out of Cleveland.

What’s Next

The Foundation’s progress is the result of a carefully planned timeline that prioritized compliance, community engagement, and long-term impact.

“Progress takes time,” said Kemerer. “We know the community is eager to see these buildings come back to life — and so are we. But doing it right means taking it step by step.”

Now with demolition wrapping up and design approvals secured, construction can begin on transforming these spaces into something new — something the community can be proud of.

“These buildings are more than bricks and mortar,” Kemerer said. “They’re a statement of belief in Shelby’s future. We’re proud to play a role in that future — and we’re just getting started.”