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Solsberry, Ind., July 2, 2012 – CFC Properties announces the restoration of the Yoho General Store, with plans to reopen in the fall. The Solsberry, Ind. historic landmark was purchased by CFC in May.

“The Yoho General Store has been a staple in Solsberry for decades,” said Jim Murphy, President of CFC Properties. “For many families, getting ice cream at the Yoho Store was a beloved pastime. We hope to preserve that custom for years to come.”

The store is traditionally a place that serves the community’s basic needs with groceries, a deli, and a side of unique atmosphere. CFC Properties is dedicated to the restoration of the Yoho store, with plans to recreate the ice cream experience, refurbish the interior but keep the wood-burning stove, and renew the energy of the store. CFC Properties also plans to sell unleaded gas and on-road diesel, providing not only for the town, but the extended community for those out for a country drive.

After visiting the town during the opening of EllieMae’s Boutique in 2008, and the annual Tobacco Barn Event, Mr. Bill Cook experienced the unique and dynamic atmosphere the town has to offer. This visit sparked his interest in bringing back the Yoho Store.

“We are excited to continue our commitment to historic preservation with the purchase of the Yoho General Store,” said Murphy. “Mr. Cook wanted us to buy and get the Yoho store going again, because it has always been a dynamic part of the town’s atmosphere.”

Restoring the Yoho store will create jobs both during the construction phase as well as for operations when upon opening for business.

About CFC Properties
For more than 35 years, CFC Properties has been a leader in the historic restoration, promotion and revitalization of downtown Bloomington, Indiana. This includes the city’s largest bed and breakfast, the Grant Street Inn. CFC also recently expanded to Canton, Illinois, hometown of former President and CEO of Cook Group, Bill Cook. For more information, visit cfcproperties.com.

MEDIA CONTACT
Marsha Lovejoy
Manager, Public Relations and Patient Advocacy
Cook Medical
812.339.2235 ext.2750
marsha.lovejoy@cookmedical.com

Grant Street Inn celebrates 20th anniversary

By Rebecca Troyer 331-4243 | rtroyer@heraldt.com

June 16, 2011

The Grant Street Inn

The Grant Street Inn, a historic bed and breakfast owned by CFC Properties, is celebrating its 20th anniversary Friday with an old-fashioned street fair between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Tours of the inn and refreshments will be available, and music will be provided by a brass quintet from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music.

The inn was originally a house built in the 1890s by William P. Rogers as a gift for his bride, Belle, at the corner of Seventh and Lincoln streets. Rogers was a prominent Bloomington attorney who later became dean of the IU and Cincinnati University law schools. Subsequent owners included William Graham, who built the Graham Hotel, and William N. Showers, owner of Showers Brothers Furniture factory.

The house was moved to its current site at 310 N. Grant St. and restored by Bill and Gayle Cook, founders of the Cook Group companies.

CFC Properties, Cook’s real estate and restoration company, had acquired it from the First Presbyterian Church when the church sought to expand on the original site at Seventh and Lincoln.

“We are excited to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Grant Street Inn; I can remember the day we moved the Ziegler house to its current location,” said Jim Murphy, president of CFC Properties. “This has had a positive impact on this neighborhood and the downtown businesses, as well.”

The inn, which opened in June 1991, has 24 guest rooms decorated in a variety of styles.

“Over the years, we have been blessed with having wonderful guests ranging from the leisure traveler to professionals in a variety of disciplines, and of course we house various IU-related guests, as well,” Murphy said.

Copyright: HeraldTimesOnline.com 2011

CANTON — An old-fashioned ice cream social was held Friday in Jones Park to celebrate four murals depicting historic scenes of downtown Canton on the south wall of the J.C. Penney building, as well as the artists who made them.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held as well. Bill Cook, who grew up in Canton and owns the Penney building and other property of the Fulton Square Mall, was on hand for the festivities

Mayor Kevin Meade said this was “only the beginning” and may expand to add artwork to other bare walls of buildings, leading to an “outdoor art gallery.” Meade said the murals show others what beautiful art Canton has and encourage tourism.

Jim Murphy, president of CFC Properties, the property management company for Cook, asked if anyone ever looked at that wall before the murals were installed. How many people look at the wall every time they pass by now?

The crowd applauded in answer.

Murphy said the Cook group wanted to buy property they can be proud of; they wanted to create value and pride for Fulton Square Mall, as well as Canton and the community. He said when he first got involved, he did not know local artists. He asked Carol Davis, vice president of Spoon River College Outreach, who could do the murals. Within an hour, Davis introduced him to Scott and Tracy Snowman, owners of Snowman Studios of Canton. Before long, Murphy introduced the couple to Bill and Gayle Cook. The Cooks decided they could do the job.

Scott and Tracy Snowman did extensive research and an outstanding job, Murphy said. “I know they put their heart and soul in this.” After the murals were prepared, Bill and Gayle Cook viewed them and gave a “thumbs-up of approval,” Murphy said. He added he also got a lot of calls from people after the murals were installed.

Murphy said there was actually a traffic jam in the area as drivers paused to look at the murals. “One driver stopped and gave me a thumbs-up, and I knew we had a hit,” he said. “When someone points, you know it is a winner.”

He said the murals represent art, culture, history and community.

Tracy and Scott Snowma were dressed in period costume to reflect historic scenes in the murals, which were inspired by antique postcards. Tracy Snowman said there were some fun elements hidden in the artwork. Cook’s name appears in each mural, and a cameo portrait of him was snuck in mural No. 4. The murals are numbered from west to east, the order in which they were done. Murphy’s name also is hidden in mural No. 2, and his likeness is evident in the man on the corner in mural No. 1.

She added Scott Snowman and their daughter Taylor and son Jake modeled for people in each mural. “Scott and I appear in the buggy on the street of mural No. 4 wearing the costumes you see us in today. Even our family cat made a debut in No. 3,” she said.

She explained old-school technology was used along with new technology to make the 12-foot by 16-foot murals. Small postcards were scanned into a computer, printed and then redrawn with the use of an overhead projector. Old-fashioned latex house paint was applied. To create the sky, paint rollers were used by multiple artists to blend the colors together. Each mural consists of four panels. The panels were sealed with two coats of ultraviolet ray protectant to give the colors long life.

“As we look around at so many good things happening in Canton, we see what constitutes a rebirth, or renaissance. For those who have spent a lifetime here, words cannot fully express the joy we feel in seeing Canton move forward in so many positive directions. Despite hardships of the past including loss of industry, fires and natural disasters, Canton people are resilient and loyal,” she said.

“Mr. Cook, your vision, your determination, your drive have inspired so many of us that it is hard to identify the full domino effect of what you have started. When we first learned that we had been awarded the commission for this project, we felt a great sense of gratitude and definitely responsibility not to let you down. We wanted to prove to you that even small-town artists could be up to the task of meeting your expectations for quality and performance.

“The things you have started here in Canton have inspired other businesses and citizens to invest in Canton’s future. As a result of the many projects that you have started, the people of Canton realize that there is no end to where we can go. You have raised the bar us. You have asked more of us than we have at times asked of ourselves. You have proven that we can achieve more than we thought. You have proven to us that one person can definitely make a difference, and so we honor you today with a small gift and thank you for being a catalyst in Canton’s 21st century renaissance.”

Scott Snowman then presented a plaque to Cook.

She also thanked Murphy for his encouragement, kindness, dignity and respect. Her husband then presented a plaque of appreciation to Murphy as well.

She additionally thanked Mike Walters, “our go-to Canton historian” and owner of NAPA Auto Parts, for sharing those historic postcards and other information about the square’s history with the Snowman family. Scott Snowman presented a plaque of appreciation to Walters.

Tracy Snowman noted her children were involved in the actual work of the murals, too. Taylor and Jake painted, modeled, moved panels and critiqued the work. It was truly a team effort, she said.

She also thanked Randy Wilson, director of Parlin-Ingersoll Library, for helping with research; her husband’s father Tom Snowman for assisting with perspective and design; Ricky’s Signs for doing a great job mounting and installing the murals; Missy Towery, director of Canton Area Chamber of Commerce, for organizing the event and helping with the ribbon-cutting ceremony; and Dave and Terry Pickel, owner of Katy and Tory’s for serving the delicious free ice cream.

In closing, Tracy Snowman also thanked Canton residents who have stopped to enjoy the murals and for their cards, emails, phones calls and kind words.

Copyright 2010 Canton Daily Ledger. Some rights reserved

CANTON, Ill —

Plans to build a “boutique” hotel near the southwest corner of Main and Locust streets in Canton, to improve the landscape at Fulton Square Mall and to enhance the appearance of those and other properties owned by Bill Cook in Canton were discussed Friday by a real estate manager for Cook.

Jim Murphy, president of CFC, Inc. which is a Cook Industries real estate management company, said a hotel is planned to be built where two buildings owned by Cook were recently torn down. It will not be a brand-name facility but a “boutique hotel owned and operated by Cook,” said Murphy.

He said the hotel was still in the design phase, and it would be premature to comment on the size it would be or how many floors it would have. He did say the project represented an expansion to Cook’s hostelry business. Although Cook is perhaps best known for his success in making and selling medical devices, his interest in restoring historic buildings and leasing space in them is evident with local projects such as the Randolph Building and Lewis Pharmacy properties.

Also, Murphy noted in Bloomington, Ind., where Cook Industries is based, was an historic downtown building Cook wanted to save. He relocated it to another downtown area, adjacent to other property he owned, and converted it to a bed-and-breakfast facility. It was expanded and now features 24 rooms. It is named the Grant Street Inn.

Cook also restored an historic hotel in French Lick, Ind. It now features 442 rooms along with a casino and is named French Lick Springs Resort, said Murphy. The project is noted in a book about Cook, “The Story of Bill Cook.” A picture about it in the book illustrates ornate features of the resort.

The Canton hotel project is contingent upon acquiring the city-owned parking lot at the southwest corner of Main and Locust. Without it, there would not be enough property to develop, Murphy said. Mayor Kevin Meade said the parking lot, like all city-owned property, will be offered for sale to the public. Proposals will be sought, and it will be up to the city council to select the best one.
Meade added it would be hard to imagine a better proposed use for the parking lot than the hotel, especially since Cook owns the adjacent property to the south. The hotel possibility has been discussed in the past by city officials, Meade said.

In addition to roof repairs and tuckpointing at the JC Penney store at Fulton Square Mall recently discussed by Murphy, several landscape improvements are planned in the area “to enhance the arrival experience,” he said. The Curves business will be relocated, and “tree pods” will be planted in areas of the parking lot. A fountain on the south lawn of the mall will be provided as well.
Those landscaping changes will “give relief to the blank wall facing Main” Street, he said.

Murphy added when the tuckpointing work is complete, exterior painting of the Penney’s store will begin, weather permitting. Spoon River College art teacher Tracy Snowman assisted with the selection of paint. Bill Cook selected the color for which to start the project. “We added other colors to complement his choice,” Murphy said. He added Snowman is involved in an ongoing project to create four murals to adorn the south side of the Penney’s building which faces the square.

Each mural features a historic scene of downtown Canton. They include an east view of the former Canton Stationery and Ben Franklin stores on the north side of the square, west view of the north side of the square from the corner of First Avenue and Chestnut Street, the old Randolph Building on the east side of the square, and Lewis Pharmacy in a south view of Main Street.

“We hope to have the first mural up by the first of December,” Murphy said. All four murals are hoped to be completed by January or February, he said. He said the esthetic improvements are intended to attract people to stay downtown in a friendly business environment with “more activity, more people, more commerce.” Asked about plans for the Goodwill store building, Murphy said it will stay in place. He referred to the mayor questions about reopening the north side of the square to vehicle traffic.” It’s helpful for the flow of traffic to open that up,” Meade said. “The city intends to open up a driving lane. We’ll explore the engineering possibilities.” He added perhaps two lanes will be possible, but studies will be needed to determine what is possible. He said engineer Keith Plavec of Maurer-Stutz Inc. has been asked to “dust off” some old studies and look further into the proposal, and new traffic studies will need to be conducted.

In regard to other Cook projects, Murphy said the old Lewis Pharmacy property is being studied to verify dimensions for the floor plan and size of rooms. Then new room sizes will be determined and decisions made on adding or moving walls. “We’ll preserve what’s there. Actually, the exterior is in good shape for the most part. The pharmacy will be cleaned up and stay as it is,” he said. He explained the first floor will be used for retail purposes and the second floor for offices. An elevator will be added to allow handicapped persons access to the upper floor. Renovations are to start this winter and be completed by next summer, if not sooner. The parking lot south of the pharmacy will be paved. The adjacent building on the corner of Main and Elm will feature more extensive renovations with flooring and paneling. That building is in excellent condition, but some challenges and surprises can always be expected in renovation projects, Murphy said.

At the renovated old Randolph Building, all four upstairs apartments have been leased and are occupied. A corner suite on the first floor has been leased to 1 East Boutique, which is owned by The Princess Shoppe in Macomb. Inventory is being moved and the business set up. It is expected to open sometime this month. Murphy said two other suites on the first floor, each covering around 1,500 square feet, are available to be leased for retail businesses. Great interest has been shown in those, and positive results are expected, he said.

He noted four retail areas in the mall are also available to be leased. As for the Cook Canton medical-device plant being built at the old International Harvester site, it is expected to be completed sometime in February as weather allows, according to Greg Blum, who manages commercial properties for Cook. It will be a one-story facility with a mezzanine area for mechanical equipment. The plant will initially hire 100 people and eventually employ 300, Blum noted.

CANTON —

The former Lewis Pharmacy/Emporium building and gravel parking lot just south of the old pharmacy building have been sold to Bill Cook, who grew up in Canton and founded the largest privately held medical-device supplier business in the world, Cook Medical Group of Bloomington, Ind. He has shown an interest in restoring historic buildings, including the old Randolph building on the east side of the Canton square.

The deal was closed Friday, said Jim Murphy, president of CFC, Inc., a Cook Industries real estate management company. He declined to disclose the purchase price.
“We want to restore the building in its current state and put it back in its original use. We hope to have a pharmacist locate there,” Murphy said. “We’re going to keep all the fixtures and furniture as is and refurbish in place.”

He explained the main floor will feature a pharmacy and retail business. Offices for one to four persons will be built on the second floor. Also, an elevator will be installed at a place to be determined, which will be a convenience for those on the ground floor, Murphy said.

He noted the pharmacy and emporium originally were two buildings, but were considered as one building in this case. “We are going to be here next week to clean the store out, and measuring to confirm interior dimensions,” Murphy said. The date the pharmacy building was built at 8 S. Main St. is not known, but it is believed to have been in or around 1889. A pharmacy called Gustine’s Drug Store opened there in 1915. An inlaid tile design on the floor of the building’s entrance spells the name of the building’s first owners.

The name changed after Ed Lewis Sr. purchased the property in 1937. His son, Ed Lewis Jr., joined him in the business in 1947. Ed Lewis Jr. sold the pharmacy part of the business in 2005, but the building stayed open as Lewis Emporium. Then, after Ed Lewis Jr. and his father had been in business at the popular local gathering spot for coffee and sodas for more than 70 years, the building was closed Feb. 20, 2009. It had been for sale since then, along with the parking lot.

The building still has its original cabinetry, booths, functional soda fountain, black and white checkerboard floor and decorative art glassware. Valerye Lewis, daughter of Ed Lewis Jr., previously has said the glasses, cups and spoons would remain with the soda fountain in case the next owner wanted them. She hoped whoever purchased the building would preserve it. Mark Rothert, executive director of Spoon River Partnership for Economic Development, in January nominated the Lewis Pharmacy/Emporium building for listing among the top 10 sites for 2009 by Landmarks Illinois, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of Illinois’ architecturally and historically significant structures and sites.

The Canton building was accepted for the list in April. It joined other sites listed including the 136-year-old Arcade Building in Riverside, an early U.S. example of a multi-tenant commercial structure; the Archer House in Marshall, built 169 years ago by the town’s founder and considered one of the state’s oldest hotels; the Aurora Masonic Temple, a neoclassical building designed in 1922; and the 1903 Chautauqua Auditorium in Shelbyville, a 20-sided wood-frame structure with capacity for 6,000 people, making it the biggest surviving ‘‘Chautauqua’’ auditorium of its kind in the country.

“Obviously, it’s pretty competitive,” Rothert said about the list. “It’s like going back in time when you go in there.” Dave Lewis said Friday that on behalf of his sister, his brother Charles Lewis and father Ed Lewis Jr., when the decision was made to close the business in February, it was important to the family the future buyer of the property would be someone who would restore the historical and architectural flavor offered at Lewis Pharmacy/Emporium.

“I’m pretty confident CFC will accomplish this and much more,” he said of Murphy’s company. “A lot of people have worked very hard to bring this to fruition. It’s going to be a great thing for the city,” Lewis added. Asked how his father, who is in his upper 80s, was doing, he said, “Not too bad. He spent a few minutes speaking to Mr. Cook.

“I had gone out and purchased a copy of his biography (“The Story of Bill Cook: Ready, Shoot Aim”). I asked him for an autograph, and he graciously signed it. I had one hardback copy of “The Heald (Collection)” book left. Dad signed it and gave it to Mr. Cook.”

CANTON —
Spoon River Blacktop of Lewistown has completed the work of resurfacing the 70,000 square foot Fulton Square Mall parking lot, according to the company’s owners Mike and Paula Stahl.

Jim Murphy, President of CFC, Inc.,  was at the site today and says, “I am impressed with the outstanding work and expedient manner in which Spoon River Blacktop completed resurfacing work at Fulton Square Mall this week.”

Fulton Square Mall was recently purchased by CFC, Inc., a Cook Industries real estate management company. Bill Cook purchased and renovated the Randolph Building in downtown Canton and has begun the process of building a medical device factory at the former IH site in Canton. Murphy explains the quick work of the blacktopping company helped minimize any inconvenience to customers.

Spoon River Blacktop employees spent Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday on the process. The work included getting rid of potholes, giving the parking lot a smooth surface, and adding a newer look to the entire mall. The business has been doing that work for 25 years and also operates United Asphalt Supply of Canton. The Stahls say the resurfacing work included mill work to get rid of potholes, a skim coat to smooth the surface, and application of the top surface of asphalt.

More improvements at Fulton Square are planned. Murphy explains there are four vacant suites at Fulton Square and improvements are currently being made. Today, Murphy will meet with interested individuals. Murphy will inspect the roof today and conduct additional building inspections. After a complete inspection, Murphy explains he will determine if there will be repair or replacement of the roof, but that will not be determined today. Plans also include painting the exterior of the buildings and tuckpointing. Another important aspect of beautifying the area will be landscaping work and lighting, says Murphy.

“Landscaping and these other improvements will enhance the arrival experience for customers at Fulton Square,” explains Murphy, who emphasizes the area is in the heart of the city and one of the first things that visitors see when arriving. A painted mural is another consideration for the mall area. Also today, other Cook Medical officials are meeting with Cook Canton contractors to discuss current construction activity and review the work already done, while addressing any questions on the work.

CANTON, Ill. —

Jim Murphy, President of CFC, Inc. which is a Cook Industries real estate management company specializing in developing architecturally significant buildings, has announced the company has purchased Fulton Square Mall in Canton.

The purchase agreement was completed on  Wednesday, May 27 and announced on Thursday. Murphy was in town Thursday afternoon to meet with Fulton Square tenants and to get an idea of the condition of the properties. Immediate plans are to take care of what Murphy called “deferred maintenance” on the area, including work on the roof and parking lot, as well as painting the buildings.
“From there, we will find out the best direction to go after visiting with our tenants,” Murphy said.

Crews from the company were expected to visit the area next week. Murphy said he hoped work would begin within a month, depending on the availability of the contractors.
According to Canton Mayor Kevin Meade, JCPenney has signed a five-year lease with the new owners. Businesses currently at Fulton Square include JCPenney, Kirlin’s Hallmark, Taco Bell, Bard Optical, Goodwill Industries, Advance America, Curves, U.S. Cellular, and H&R Block. Under Murphy’s direction, Cook Industries recently completed renovation of the historic Randolph building in downtown Canton.

Bill Cook, owner of Cook Industries and a man who grew up in Canton, said at an open house event held recently at the Randolph building he wants to build a hotel at the corner of Main and Locust streets. He also alluded to his desire for traffic to once again to be able to go around the square. Cook Canton, a medical device factory, will be constructed on the former International Harvester site. Bids are to be awarded for that project next week, with construction to begin immediately.

CANTON, Ill. —

What was once blighted is now a showpiece of the Canton downtown.

On Friday, the historic 1883 Randolph Building was showcased to the public at an open house after being completely renovated by Canton native Bill Cook. Cook traveled to Canton for the open house and said as he looked outside, he could see it was raining and people walking on the square. The town really has not changed. A tornado struck years ago, but the town and the people are still here. When he comes back to the Canton, he looks for the people — the crowds — and they always seem to be here.

He joked about renting apartments upstairs so payments for the building can be made, and he will be glad to take the rent money. He added, more seriously, “I’m so happy we could do this in a way that could develop it in time.” He stressed time was taken as needed to provide the kind of facility desired — a place with ambiance. He noted flowers are not up yet, but bulbs have been planted. Flowers and shrubbery and trees all help to be a part of that ambiance “we are a part of,” he said.

He thanked the Cook staff, local officials and others who spoke before him and introduced him. He talked about building a hotel at Main and Locust streets. Cook said the town needs more hotels and motels. It can be like Bloomington, Ind., where he lives and bases his business — a place full of people walking down streets, full of ambiance. Maybe people from Springfield would be more apt to come here.

“I’m going to do the best job we can to do some more expanding. If you think the rents are outrageous, wait ’til we really get started,” Cook said, drawing laughter. According to Jim Murphy, who is president of CFC, Inc. (a Bill Cook enterprise) and in charge of the Randolph Building project and several other Cook Canton projects, the renovation provides retail spaces, condominium living, and more.

The Randolph building’s three floors are divided into retail suites on the main level, apartments on the upper level, and storage on the lower level. The adjoining building was attached to the Randolph building via openings through the brick wall. That renovation offers retail space on the main level and an apartment on the upper level. The buildings are served by a large elevator located at the back of the buildings.

Murphy calls the buildings “architecturally significant” structures, and explains, “This is a great opportunity to expand into other markets (in addition to Cook’s home territory in Bloomington, Ind.) doing what CFC does best, restoring older structures in a manner that preserves the past and enhances the character of the community.” The Randolph Building, said Murphy, was both architecturally and historically significant, noting the building was over 100 years old. A timeline on display showed the different owners and uses of the property, the first of which was Messer’s Day Brother’s & Co.

“The renovation has gone very well,” Murphy said. “We started June 4, 2008, and we are here today, less than one year later. We are very happy.” Murphy described some of the challenges faced by renovation crews. He noted the basement was filled with water and the roof leaked from the second floor through to the main floor. He said there were spots on the second floor which posed safety problems because the wood had rotted away.

“We carted 57 square yards of rubbish from the interior to the dumpsters,” said Murphy, “all by hand.” The outside of the building was less difficult since, as Murphy noted, most of the structure was still intact. The company looked at historic photos to guide their work and, with a new roof, new windows and some tuck pointing, came close to restoring the site to its original architecture. Everything on the interior is brand new, Murphy said. Murphy went on to add all four upstairs apartments, three in the Randolph Building and one in the adjacent building, have been rented. All four apartments have washers and dryers, and one is a fully-furnished corporate apartment. “It has the linens, the utensils, everything,” he remarked. “All you need is your suitcase.”
Storage space for all four apartments is also available in the basement area, along with storage for any businesses which may rent the ground floor space.

Murphy said he hoped the downstairs would be rented by retail customers, noting they could get spaces of up to 3,000 square feet or, by partitioning off areas, 1,500 square feet. “The building is now ready for another 100 years,” Murphy said. “This project goes right along with our policy of new use for architecturally significant structures. This will ignite energy into downtown Canton, and we are excited about the possibilities.”

Canton Mayor Kevin Meade called this an exciting time for Canton. “I think it is tremendously exciting to see this kind of development happening on the Square. The flood gates have opened.”
Meade remembers that Canton officials have been working toward this kind of progress for a long time. Kert Huber (a Peoria developer) renovated the Historic Opera House, former Bradley Basketball Coach and now Fulton County resident Dick Versace renovated the Knepps Building on the Canton Square, and many others have  built or renovated businesses.

Meade expects to see a lot more happening and says the city is now reaping the benefits of all of this hard work. Meade explains that all of Cook’s projects are of the highest quality, which helps the city set a standard for future development. “This is just the beginning of great things, and people are showing support for all these efforts,” emphasizes Meade.

Dennis Crawford, president of Canton Main Street, said he wanted to thank the Cook family for taking the lead in the town’s revitalization. The Main Street program is about restoration, preservation, new development, facade improvements and streetscapes, and special events, and Canton Main Street will be an aggressive and forward-thinking partner to make the community a better place, he said.

Mark Rothert, executive director of Spoon River Partnership for Economic Development, gave the welcome. He noted Canton was founded in 1825, and said this project helps add to the town’s rich history. He said the site of the old Drow Hardware Store on the square will be developed in September, and facade grants for downtown building improvements will help “restore downtown Canton as a center of Canton.”

The Randolph Building project was done under the direction of Cook’s lead architect George Ridgway and general contractor Pritchett Brothers Construction of Bedford, Ind. Greg Blum served as engineer for the project. “It is truly a community project. It was your participation as well,” Murphy said.

CANTON, Ill.–(Business Wire)–

CGI Real Estate Holdings, LLC, a Bloomington Indiana-based Cook Group company, purchased two buildings in downtown Canton, in June. The Randolph building, built in 1883, located at 3 & 5 East Side Square and 15 East Side Square are now being renovated.

“These are great old and once-vibrant buildings. It will be a joy to bring life back to them,” said Jim Murphy, President, CFC. Inc., Cook Group’s real estate development and management company.

CFC, Inc. will manage both the renovation and leasing of the buildings, Murphy added. CFC is a property development and management company that emphasizes architecturally significant structures. CFC has been a leader in the revitalization of the downtown Bloomington (Indiana) area for more than 30 years and has been instrumental in other historic restorations in Indiana.

Once completed, the two buildings will consist of commercial retail space on the ground floor and well-appointed apartments on the second floor. Under the supervision of lead architect George Ridgway, Pritchett Bros. Construction has already begun the historic renovation of the buildings. Work to remove the exterior facade and stabilize the buildings has been completed. The project should be completed by spring of 2009. “Pritchett Brothers, our general contractor, will do their best to hire and contract local firms to complete this project,” Murphy added.

“This is a great opportunity to expand into other markets doing what CFC does best; restoring older structures in a manner that preserves the past and enhances the character of the community,” Murphy explained. For more information about CFC, you can view their website at: www.cfcincorporated.com

Cook Group founder, William A. Cook, grew up in Canton and says that renovating this building is like planting a seed. “Once it blossoms, we anticipate the roots will spread throughout the community and nourish further growth,” he said.

CGI Real Estate Holdings is also in the process of purchasing the lot and burned out building at 138-148 Main Street. The future use for that property has not been decided.

About CFC, Inc.

Originally founded to finance loans to Cook Group company employees, CFC has evolved into a real estate development company with special emphasis on preserving architecturally significant buildings in Bloomington and south central Indiana. The company works with local business and government officials to help strengthen the community fiber of downtown Bloomington through the development of valuable commercial, office and residential properties.

CFC’s restoration projects have included the Showers Plaza complex and Fountain Square Mall, both significant historic structures in Bloomington’s downtown district. The company also has developed new residential properties, including the innovative Bicycle Apartments project, Madison Park condominiums, Lincoln Place condominiums, The Kirkwood luxury apartments and other properties.

CFC also joined with the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana to stabilize and later restore the historic West Baden Springs Hotel in West Baden, Indiana.

Copyright Business Wire 2008

At the recent annual Indiana Apartment Association conference, CFC Inc. was presented with three Prodigy Awards for The Kirkwood, one of downtown Bloomington’s newest luxury apartment communities.

Jim Murphy, president, and Nikki Johnson, residential property manager, accepted the awards for “Best One-Bedroom Floor plan,” “Best Three-Bedroom Floor plan” and “Best Overall Marketing Plan”.

The Prodigy Awards recognizes the “best of the best” in products, services and marketing of multifamily housing in the state of Indiana.