Two bars are relocating in support of the upcoming redevelopment in the Village.
Owner Chris Ellison said Cleo’s Bourbon Bar and Redbird Tequila & Taco Bar will be closed until mid-June as they move from their current location in University Square to the former Discount Den location, one block away at 1801 W. University Ave.
“Our goal was to help see this new development come through,” Ellison said. “It needs to happen. That whole block needs to be done.”
Redbird closed Monday and Cleo’s closed Wednesday.
Ellison said the greatest benefit of the temporary location is having outdoor seating and more seating and bar space inside.
He said both businesses will remain at the new location for about a year until after redevelopment is completed. Ellison said he hopes to then move back to where they were.
The University Square block will have more retail and 220 apartments above the businesses after the redevelopment, Ellison said. He said there will be a larger space for Cleo’s and Redbird.
The former Discount Den location will become available for Ellison to introduce a new business to the Village, he said.
“We are going to open a whole new concept of a bar and a restaurant there,” Ellison said. “We’ve toyed with a couple of things that does not exist in the Village and that’s kind of where we are already talking about it.”
Ellison said he is unsure of what the new development will be or if Milhaus Development will remain the developer. Ellison said these plans are preliminary until he discusses plans with developers.
Marta Moody, the executive director of the county’s plan commission, said she is expecting to begin getting proposals from development companies by the end of the month.
She said until the developers begin planning, she will not know what businesses will be added to the Village or a time estimate for completion.
Moody said she has only communicated with Investment Property Advisors so far.
Chase Sorrick of IPA said in March the company he works for is planning a multi-million dollar investment in the Village area and has worked with similar overlay standards in other communities.
He said they hope to start construction by August or September.
Moody and the commission are focusing on putting together a Village Review Committee until more developers present plans.
The panel of five experts will review and approve development plans.
“It provides a detailed review of a development that is done by people who have experience in development-related fields,” Moody said. “Almost like a peer review.”
Moody said two members have been appointed by the plan commission, and one member was appointed by city council. Ball State and the mayor will each appoint one of the last two members.
The plan commission appointed Deane Rundell, who specializes in landscape architecture, and Bill Morgan, a specialist in history preservation. City council appointed Andy Ellis, an expert in urban design.
Part of the commission’s job will be to ensure developers follow the zoning ordinance amendment that was approved May 6.
Moody said the ordinance sets guidelines for the quality of the development, including standards for expanded developments deals with setbacks, materials that can be used, parking provisions and appearance.
The ordinance also approved Village overlay areas, which divide it into four separate areas, with Area 1 including the commercial and retail section.
