MANSFIELD — The public will have the opportunity to explore some of downtown Mansfield’s “hidden gems” during the Secret City Tour: Downtown Revival Edition on Saturday, May 7.
This annual event, hosted by Downtown Mansfield, Inc., offers self-guided tours of prominent, historic downtown buildings, with access to properties located at 128 N. Main St., 117 N. Diamond St., 134 N. Main St., 23-25 N. Park St., 193 N. Main St., the second floor of 100 N. Main St. and more.
Some of these spaces have been featured in previous tours, including the former Mansfield Fraternal Order of the Eagles Lodge 336 on North Main Street, a “fan-favorite,” said Jennifer Kime, DMI’s chief executive officer.
A new addition to the tour this year is the basement of the Urban Center on North Main Street, which Kime called “a really, really interesting space.”
Kime said the Secret City Tour targets properties that are either underutilized or not open to the public.
“We try to provide opportunities for the public to see those vacant spaces and get a better sense of how preservation occurs,” she said.
The tour often attracts photographers, who are delighted with the opportunity to snap some photos of downtown’s historic properties.
Some participate because they enjoy seeing the undeveloped spaces and the “nooks and crannies of the city,” while others are potential investors looking for no-pressure opportunities to visit undeveloped spaces, Kime said.
Moreover, the tour helps promote preservation, Kime said.
“There’s a tendency for people to ask, ‘Why not just tear it down’ when they see a vacant, abandoned property. But by providing an opportunity to see what the properties look like on the inside, they can see that they are hidden gems,” she said.
Previous tours have been successful in encouraging preservation and redevelopment. Kime said the owners of Phoenix Brewing Company participated in one of the tours and were captivated by the former mortuary on North Diamond Street, later renovating that location to serve as the site of their brewery.
Volunteers will be on-hand to share a bit of history about the properties for the tour, Kime said.
Because many of the buildings are currently undeveloped, participants should dress accordingly and be prepared to walk. All participants must begin the tour at the DMI headquarters, located at 128 N. Main St.
The tour will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. and costs $20 to participate. Tickets may be purchased online at https://secretcitytourdowntownrevivaledition.eventbrite.com or on event day at the DMI headquarters.
For additional information, call 419-522-0099 or email info@downtownmansfield.com.
