Old Building Gets New Life in Kokomo
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowKokomo's downtown revitalization momentum continues with the announcement of a new restaurant. The Fox's Trail opens today in a former ice house that dates back to the 1870s. December 5, 2013
News Release
KOKOMO, Ind. – A long vacant building in downtown Kokomo will reopen Friday, December 6th as The Fox's Trail restaurant; the restaurant will feature steaks, sandwiches and libations. The historic building, once known as the Ice House, was part of an ice-making factory which began operating in 1874.
The City of Kokomo acquired the abandoned building through a donation last spring at no cost. At the time of the city's acquisition, the blighted building and property had no assessed value.
Through the development department, the City worked with a local developer and restaurateur, Mike Lucas, concerning this site as a potential location for his new restaurant. Mike owned the Sly Fox, which was destroyed by fire. The City and Lucas worked together whereby the City would transfer ownership of the building to Lucas for use as a restaurant.
The City placed deed restrictions regarding the building's renovation. Mike Lucas met the city's timetable and goals for restoring the architecture. “The end result is a restored historic building that's back on the tax roll, and is a great amenity to our trail head improvement in the downtown area,” said Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight. “This is a successful example how city government can facilitate private sector development to cleanup an eyesore and redevelop a long-neglected property at no cost to taxpayers.”
The Fox's Trail will open this Friday, December 6, and will be open seven days a week, Monday – Thursday, 4:00 to 10:00 p.m. and Friday – Sunday, 4:00 to 11:00 p.m. For more information call 765-450-7670.
Source: The City of Kokomo