City and county work to create an inviting downtown business district

If you haven’t driven Main Street past Courthouse square in Carlisle, Nicholas County, in the past month, you’ll notice a lot going on the next time you drive through.

The new Elementary School at the school complex is taking shape.

The $17 million dollar project will be open for students for the 2017-18 school year.

Once the new building is completed, the old Elementary will be torn down and sports fields moved as needed.

Right across the street, a new round-about will be installed by fall of 2018.

Final plans on the Round-About are being wrapped up by the State Highway Department.

The Neal Building, located at 108 West Main Street has added some new signage that lets visitors know that it houses not only the Mozart Concert Hall on the second floor but also the History Museum, Welcome Center and Chamber of Commerce Offices.

The Chamber of Commerce teamed up with the City to add “free” Wi-Fi at the Neal Building downtown for anyone who wants to stop in to tour, rest or ask questions.

The building has hosted anniversary and birthday parties, baby and bridal showers and various concerts, a fashion show and plays since it was restored two years ago.

Mozart Hall can seat 250 at round tables, and many more for concerts with row seating.

Across the street resident and Carlisle supporter Bob Garvin and family are restoring a few of the historic buildings he owns on Main Street including the Lamar House, built in 1882.

At one time the Lamar House was a luxury hotel that housed the actors that came through town on the Chautauqua series by train and stayed a week performing matinees and evening performances at Mozart Hall.

The building has been re-painted and the wrought iron rails sandblasted and painted.

Windows are being replaced and outside period lights will be installed as soon as they arrive.

The building next door was most recently a second hand store.

It’s also being re-painted to period colors and ready for renting to a new tenant.

At the end of the block Emily Flora has opened D & E Overloads next door to Jerry’s Barber Shop.

They purchase overstock items from stores and re-sell them in Carlisle.

She’s already running out of room and looking for a larger location according to her husband and business partner.

And on the other end of Main Street at 605 Moorefield Road, Rebecca Shepperd is moving her Day Care Early Childhood Education business from Paris to Carlisle. “Little Sprouts” will be open 5:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to serve (40) children ages birth to 5 years old.

Shepperd has identified a need to ensure area kids are “kindergarten ready” and her staff is trained and will be following a curriculum to make sure all her students are.

They plan to open the next few weeks as soon as they get all their paperwork approved by the state.

The Nicholas county library two-story annex will get underway soon.

An elevator is being added, along with updated bathrooms and a new look for the front of the building.

A number of other buildings on Courthouse square are also being renovated and listed with the Carlisle – Nicholas County Economic Development Authority for sale or lease.

There is a move on to get all available buildings listed on the Nicholas County and Licking Valley Ventures mini-sites on StateBook with pictures, measurements, and other details businesses looking to re-locate or expand are looking for.

Carlisle Mayor, Larry Jolly is very pleased with all the activity.

“It’s and exciting time in Carlisle and Nicholas county. The City is working well with the County, Economic Development and Chamber of Commerce to help move things forward. We’re pleased with all the new businesses moving into or expanding downtown and in the County. With all the buildings being renovated in Carlisle, our next goal will be to fill them all up, and we’re working on that,” Mayor Jolly said.