A set of buildings that have long sat empty on one of downtown Peruâs most prominent street corners are going to be seeing some new life in the coming weeks.
Local businessman Dave Van Baalen and two partners recently acquired the property on the southeast corner of Broadway and Main Street with plans to bring new retail to downtown and possibly some residential space in the future.
âI hate empty buildings,â Van Baalen told the Tribune on Thursday.
Van Baalen, an owner of several properties around town, is behind the ongoing refurbishment of the old Holy Trinity Anglican Catholic Church building on West Main Street and is also a partner in the extensive remodel of the old T.J. Phillips building on East Fifth Street that will soon be reopening as a brewery and restaurant.