Oshkosh, WI, Receives $250,000 State Grant to Support Redevelopment of Former Gibson Auto Body The City of Oshkosh, WI, is receiving a $250,000 state grant to help in the renovation and preservation of the former Gibson Auto Body into a unique gathering space in downtown Oshkosh. The Community Development Investment (CDI) grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) will support the preservation of the nearly 100-year-old former Gibson Auto Body Shop by converting it into the Gibson Social Club. The new development will be an event space for weddings, meetings and other social gatherings. The project is expected to be complete next year. “A vibrant blend of businesses is vital to a community’s overall economic success, which is why it is one of WEDC’s top priorities to support communities across the state and invest in improving their business districts,” said Missy Hughes, secretary and CEO of WEDC, the state’s lead economic development organization. “This project will not only preserve a piece of the city’s history by renovating a building that is 100 years
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Survey Finds to keeping all of his staff working,” an estimator who is one of nine employees at a shop in eastern Pennsylvania said. Shop optimism had also rebounded a bit from what it was in the spring. In the second half of April, 15% of shops said they were “very” or “extremely” concerned about their business surviving even just the next month, and 25% felt that way when they looked out three months. By June, those rates were cut by about half, with just 8% worried about the next month and 14% worried about making it into the fall. In April, only half of shops said they were not very, or at all, concerned about being in business next spring; in June that had nudged up to three in five shops, with just 16% saying they are “very” or “extremely” concerned about still having their doors open a year from now. “People are using their cars as safety bubbles to go out and explore,” a survey respondent in Texas
old, but it will serve as a catalyst for future development and investment in the Oshkosh community.” Purchased by Eric and Kristen Hoopman, the remodeling of the space will include the addition of a catering kitchen, bathrooms and three bars, including one on a mezzanine level. The entire space will be renovated and will be available for large and small events. The new owners plan to highlight and preserve the building’s historical elements and beauty and will use reclaimed or salvaged materials in the process. “With the support of WEDC and the City of Oshkosh, we are excited to bring this new adaptive reuse multi-purpose venue to the heart of downtown Oshkosh next year,” said Eric Hoopman. “We’ve been admirers of this historic space for a long time now and are thrilled to be able to help preserve it in a way where the community can enjoy it for decades to come.” “We are excited that the Hoopmans are demonstrating their commitment to downtown Oshkosh with the renovation of the former Gibson
said. “Collisions will continue.” Across a total of 151 shops that reported February to May monthly revenue figures in June, the combined total monthly revenue fell from $39 million in February—an average of $261,000 per shop—to $38 million in March, $27 million in April and $23.5 million in June—an average of $156,000 per shop, and a cumulative loss of more than $29 million. Interviews with some shops this summer offered anecdotal evidence that revenue patterns vary widely by market. “For whatever reason, in our area we’re usually about 30 to 45 days behind other businesses,” said Tim Cockrell, owner of two Cockrell’s Body Shop locations in Alabama. “March and April and May were down 15% or 20%, but all of a sudden in June, it went down to 50%.” Richard Fish, owner of six Fix Auto USA franchises in Southern California, saw things turn in the opposite direction, but also vary by location. “In June, we were at 78% of our baseline sales. So we’ve seen some rebounding,” Fish said. “At our worst [this spring], we were close to 50%.”
Auto Body,” said Mark Rohloff, Oshkosh city manager. “This is truly a transformation of a building that has sat idle in our downtown business improvement district for many years. The addition of the Gibson Social Club will bring a new spirit into the night life of Downtown Oshkosh while honoring the history of a classic Oshkosh landmark.”
cused urban core. When the venue opens, it’s expected to create 12 full time jobs with a total of 20 people employed. WEDC’s CDI grant program supports community development and redevelopment efforts, primarily in downtown areas. The matching grants are awarded based on the ability of applicants to demonstrate
“This grant will help to ensure the unique architecture and charm of this building are preserved for generations.” — Sen. Dan Feyen “The Gibson Auto Body has been a staple of Main Street Oshkosh for almost 100 years,” said Sen. Dan Feyen. “This grant will help to ensure the unique architecture and charm of this building are preserved for generations.” The project has the potential to be a catalyst for the success of the downtown neighborhood and the business improvement district. The city is looking at this project as a way to transform a traditionally industrial downtown toward a community fo-
the economic impact of the proposed project, including public and private partnership development, financial need and use of sustainable downtown development practices. Since the program’s inception in 2013, WEDC has awarded more than $30 million in CDI Grants to over 100 communities for projects expected to generate more than $500 million in capital investments statewide. Source: Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
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