CLARKSVILLE, IN (December 19, 2023) – Cornerstone Group is a family business founded in 1971 by Elmer Hoehn and his son, Pat Hoehn. More than half a century later and the company is still going strong and investing in the community it calls home. Today Cornerstone Group is operated by brothers and co-Presidents Cory Hoehn and Kyle Hoehn. Two men with a singular vision for the future of South Clarksville.
“A lot of time people think about real estate or investments as what’s my return, how much am I going to get, and how fast am I going to get it,” said Cory Hoehn. “We’re thinking about it more as how can we make this place better.”
That’s the idea behind the duo’s newest investments into the area in and around Water Tower Square. The plans call for turning an acre of vacant land into a park-like plaza, adding a covered pavilion, adding trees and landscaping, and additional public art. The brothers are calling the area their Central Green, and are hoping it will become the ‘center of it all’ as South Clarksville continues to develop.
“Communities that invest in their public spaces create a higher quality of life. More people want to live there, then you get more businesses, and you get more amenities as a result. People-focused development is the key to being successful.”
The new Central Green is located adjacent to Cornerstone Group’s Bolt + Tie building, which is also getting ready to celebrate a new addition. Ten20 Craft Brewery is scheduled to open in January in the south end of the building close to the Ohio River. The Hoehn brothers are also working with the owners of Goodbounce Pickleball to open an indoor pickleball facility just down Main Street near the Colgate clock.
“There are plenty of studies that found that the more time you spend traveling to do something, the less you enjoy the activity. Our focus in South Clarksville needs to be how do we keep people engaged in the area; how do we keep them here?”
Although the brothers are doing their part to keep people engaged in South Clarksville, they are also encouraged to see that the Town of Clarksville is willing to invest in creating a more livable community. Examples includethe widening and beautification of the flood wall, as well as the planned improvements to Riverside Drive. Hoehn says although the construction has prevented them from taking full advantage of the Ohio River and Ashland Park, he understands the Town’s vision will take time. He says that in the end the final results will make it worth the wait.
“I think the vision that the town has had for, not just for South Clarksville but throughout the community, is ambitious. So that takes times, it takes leadership, and it takes a huge commitment to how much those things cost. So when you drive around town and see all those things being done, that’s the town putting their money where their mouth is. They’ve created these visions and this is them working towards that. Of course its inconvenient and of course construction is loud and dirty, but no one is going to care about that five years from now when they are enjoying what Clarksville has to offer.”
Planned Improvements
The largest project currently planned by the Cornerstone Group is the creation of a Central Green. The 1-acre area will include a large grassy area, walking path, 50+ new trees, and an events pavilion. The renderings below are examples of what the new Central Green could look like, however, the finished product may have slightly different architectural elements and design. Although the Central Green is a work in progress, Cornerstone Group has already completed several updates at Water Town Square. The company has added some decking, soft seating, wifi connectivity, and plantings throughout to soften and bring the hard scape to life. There are also areas of soft astroturf to allow residents and visitors to enjoy yard games while enjoying the outdoors.
Another focus for the Cornerstone Group has been to include public art throughout the property. A large mural was commissioned for the side of a large building near the Central Green area, while smaller murals have been painted to resemble windows on other buildings. Those murals pay homage to Clarksville’s history and depict scenes you have seen if you looked through windows at the famous Colgate Factory. To learn more about the Cornerstone Group and Hoehn family’s impact in Clarksville, visit their website at www.csgrealestate.com.
