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Members OK deal to sell Scottish Rite, shrine site
Link (JG)

“Hanning & Bean Enterprises Inc. has made an offer to purchase the Scottish Rite Center and the neighboring Mizpah Shrine building, Mizpah Shrine’s leader said Thursday. The two buildings sit on West Berry Street, bordered by Ewing Street and Fairfield Avenue.

Mizpah Shrine’s members voted to accept the offer Wednesday, Potentate Larry Chapel said. He declined to disclose the price.”

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“Chapel declined to say how Hanning & Bean intends to use the building, referring comment on that issue to the firm. The way Hanning & Bean presented the offer would allow the firm to transfer ownership to another business, he said.

Visitors touring downtown often point out the Scottish Rite’s zigzag-patterned brick façade, said Angie Quinn, executive director of preservation group ARCH Inc. The building hosts theater productions, wedding receptions and other events.

The auditorium, which opened in 1928, is a historic part of the downtown landscape, Quinn said.”

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“The service organization, which raises money for children’s orthopedic and burn hospitals, would like to move to a single-story structure to accommodate its aging membership, he said. The group also wants the new location to be more accessible to members who live throughout the region. While the Shriners look for a new home, Chapel said they hope to rent their current space from Hanning & Bean.

The property has “been the heart of downtown for a long time,” Chapel said, “and as far as we know it will continue to be a part of downtown.””

Hanning & Bean buying Scottish Rite, Shrine properties
Link (GFWBW)

“The purchase would include the Scottish Rite auditorium at 431 W. Berry St., the parking lot across the street, the Mizpah Shrine headquarters at Berry and Ewing streets and that organization’s building along Main Street. No buildings are expected to be torn down as a result of the sale.”

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“Allen County property-tax records state the appraised value of the Shrine’s land and building, at 407 W. Berry St., was $588,400 in March 2007. The Scottish Rite auditorium, at 431 W. Berry St., had an appraised value of $2.3 million the same year. The appraised values were used for property-tax purposes, but both buildings were exempt from property taxes.

Chapel said Shrine members expect to talk with Bean about leasing at least a portion of the building while the group searches for a new home. Chapel said the Shrine could remain at its downtown location for another year or two.”

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“Historic preservation group ARCH has placed the properties on its endangered list because they are for sale and their use could change. The entire block is part of the city’s historic district in the West Central neighborhood.”