Travis Bond of Russellville works on wiring Tuesday, January 13, 2015, at a house at 1240 College Street. (Bac Totrong/Daily News)

Making old things new has become a common theme in downtown Bowling Green in recent years, and that theme will continue with the help of a few developers.

PYDR Properties and Walk2Campus are a couple of the agencies responsible for revitalizing dozens of houses in Bowling Green’s historic downtown.

“Historic” is the operative word for PYDR’s Norm Johnson and business partner, Brian Lowder, who run businesses PYDR and Historic Rehabilitation Contractors. Johnson said he’s always liked old houses and renovated his first property in the late 1980s or early 1990s. What started as a hobby – as well as a promising investment – for Johnson all those years ago has turned into a fulfilling venture with Lowder.

“Brian and I have developed a real passion for historic rehabilitation,” Johnson said. “Our interest is investment, but we have a passion for historic rehab, so it helps us indulge both.”

PYDR owns 21 residential properties consisting of more than 60 rental units and three commercial properties.

Johnson and Lowder met with the Daily News at 1261 State St., which was built in the late 1800s and is one of five projects the company is working on. Johnson was eager to showcase the progress of the house so far, including freshly cleaned distressed hardwood floors, crown molding and walls painted a tasteful neutral color. Johnson was proudest of the completed kitchen with identical barstools that were once not identical – one had rabbits on the seat before the stools were refinished – and a light Johnson made himself before hanging it from the high ceiling.

Lowder said they have noticed a rise in the number of young professionals moving downtown and the number of college students looking for nice housing.

“We realize there’s a market for more upscale downtown living,” Lowder said.

Johnson and Lowder said the investment of redevelopment is what interests them most, but they don’t discount the impact redevelopment can have on the local economy and on residents.

“We’re doing it from the investment point of view. We’re not necessarily trying to change the demographic of Bowling Green downtown,” Johnson said. “We want to attract tenants who will appreciate the property we do and respect the property.”

Roe Elam, marketing manager for Walk2Campus, said Walk2Campus has been renovating and renting apartments in Bowling Green since 2010. The 21 Bowling Green properties – totaling 88 apartments and 255 beds – fit the company’s mission of providing newly constructed or renovated homes within walking distance of Western Kentucky University’s campus. Elam said preserving old houses and turning them into apartments is part of the process of attracting people to downtown’s charm.

“We’re trying to strip off the years of neglect and reclaim the bones of the building,” Elam said.

Elam said getting more residents in the downtown area is an important component of building up downtown and helping it grow. “You chip away at it, and I think slowly it makes a difference,” Elam said.

Although some people may think that WKU’s campus is a separate entity from downtown Bowling Green, Elam said the two should not operate completely independently. As a significant fixture in Bowling Green and the region, WKU’s success impacts more than just students, he said.

“If the neighborhoods around the campus don’t look good … that affects us,” Elam said. “If the university suffers, that’s not good for anybody.”

Elam called WKU President Gary Ransdell a visionary and said they are in agreement with his desire for short-term and long-term benefits of bridging the gap between campus and downtown businesses.

“Our business very much jives with what Gary Ransdell and our city leaders have envisioned for connecting the school to downtown,” Elam said.

Walk2Campus is just one of many that have and will participate in revitalizing downtown, and Elam said he anticipates the vibrancy will crescendo. One of the company’s current projects is 1240 College St., a historical home of which Walk2Campus wants to maintain the integrity.

Edward Martin, development associate for Walk2Campus, said the house is a lot of work, but he’s up for the challenge.

“The older buildings, there’s always some type of surprise, so they keep you on your toes, which means I get to spend more time in Bowling Green,” Martin said.

PYDR’s Johnson said Bowling Green holds many hidden-gem houses that his and other agencies will continue uncovering.

“It’s not like a bad place we’re trying to make a good place. We’re trying to make a good place great,” Johnson said. “We want to improve the planet; we’re just starting with State Street.”

— Follow business beat reporter Monica Spees on Twitter at twitter.com/BGDNbusiness or visit bgdailynews.com.