Wabash, Ind. – “Forza Development and Wabash Marketplace are partnering to restore and develop the historic Bedford Building located at 231-237 S. Wabash Street,” Marketplace president Lisa Gilman has announced.
Forza is a commercial real estate development firm basedin Zionsville, Indiana. “We are looking forward to working with Marketplace to bring the Bedford Building back to life,” said Adam D’Angelo and John Fleming, principals. “Work has already started on the building and we hope to have it operational by the end of the year.”
“Wabash Marketplace acquired the building, constructed in 1901, two years ago in an effort to save it from demolition. Since then, we have been trying to acquire grants and other funding to entice a developer to take this project on,” added Steve Downs, Marketplace executive director. “We are thrilled beyond belief. There were many times we thought we would have to surrender our efforts and demolish the building, but our board never gave up hope. We are gratified that Forza has stepped up to help us save another building.”
Mayor Scott Long, who has been a strong proponent of saving the building, commented “I am grateful that Forza has decided to invest in our community and thank Wabash Marketplace for all of its efforts.”
“The agreement between Forza and Marketplace provides for Marketplace to relocate its office to the Bedford Building once restoration is complete,” Gilman added. “We think this will be a perfect location for us, giving us visibility on the busiest street in Downtown Wabash.”
“We first became aware of the Bedford Building through Brent Mather, principal of R&B Architects in Indianapolis,” said D’Angelo. “Brent has done a lot of restoration work in Wabash and thought our firm would be a perfect fit. That is certainly proving to be true, and we hope to do future projects in this area.”
This is the second building Marketplace has been instrumental in saving in recent months. It also acquired the Bradley Building at 5 W. Canal Street, which is currentlyundergoing a complete restoration by Vandermark Duffey Enterprises, Inc.