Local developer Gavin Logan is hoping to introduce a few major changes to Owensboro’s downtown scene, consistently saying the end result would be vibrant and exciting. His plans include gutting the former Trisons building and putting in about 20 “mid-price point and all-inclusive” apartments, transforming the former auto repair shop next door into an entertainment/restaurant venue, and remodeling the building currently housing the Trophy House.
Trophy House & All American Advertising Specialties are still operating out of their current spaces but will be relocating to another building. More details of their move will be announced at a later time. Trison Gifts closed at the end of 2021. The auto repair shop was home to Deluxe Detail for several years but has been empty for some time.
All three properties (located near the intersection of Frederica and 5th streets), plus a small parking lot behind them, were purchased for $1.06 million in July by Logan Family Enterprises.
Logan said they’re still in the early stages of most processes — he still has to obtain numerous permits and licenses along the way — but hopes to start construction in November.
Regarding the Trophy House space, at this time all Logan could say was it will be converted to an office-style setup for another business.
Regarding the main two-story space that formerly housed Trisons, Logan’s plans revolve around converting the building into what he called mid-price point housing that is “all-inclusive” living.
Logan estimated the studio apartments would be about $1,199-$1,299 per month while the one-bedrooms would be about $1,399. All-inclusive means the price will cover services such as utilities, internet, and TV. The apartments will also be fully furnished, from furniture to dinnerware.
“Basically everything is included for one price, and it keeps it affordable. It’s not crazy low, but it’s not high, especially when it’s all-inclusive. Literally you walk in and it’s turnkey,” Logan said. “It could attract young people and different folks, and would make the city a lot more vibrant. It would bring in a new kind of vibe to the city.”
Logan wants to keep the historic look to the outside of the building, but would spruce it up with a new color scheme, lights, and a big sign. Inside, everything will essentially be torn down and built back up from scratch.
“It will be renovated into these new vibrant apartments that are very interesting, cool and very New York City-like in a sense,” said Logan, who is originally from New York City but has relocated to Owensboro.
The facility will also include a “grab-and-go” food area. He also plans to utilize the basement for tenant storage as well as possibly add a few storage units behind the building.
Regarding the former auto repair shop, Logan has aspirations of turning it into a unique entertainment venue that he described as a club/bar/restaurant space all wrapped in one.
“It’s gonna be really exciting,” he said. “It’s gonna be a lot of show and flair to kind of bring excitement to the town, and hope to kind of propel that new level of small-town excitement that I don’t think Owensboro has really had. Instead of going to Nashville or somewhere else for certain experiences, you should be able to stay in town. You can have it here. And others can come here for that type of experience.”
Logan said the building would have a kitchen and bar both inside and outside. There will also be outdoor seating in the front (along Frederica Street) plus a patio with more seating in the back. He said they may even put a “Tiki type” area on the rooftop. The inside has high ceilings that Logan said make it ideal for entertainment.
The apartment building will be called Good Living with the entertainment space will be called Good Socially, according to Logan.
“It’s part of this all-inclusive experience of living and having your entertainment where you live,” he said. “It’s going to be very unique to the Midwest, and I think Owensboro can lead the charge in this new type of living experience. We’re really bringing this new concept to Owensboro to make the city more exciting and to kind of create more economic diversity as well as ownership diversity. It’s going to transform the city. It’s really going to push the city in a different type of tone, while also creating a concept that will make the city more livable for people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford it.”
