Façade Lift

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

More signs of work on the Stellar Communities Grant are showing up in downtown Greencastle, with crews from Advanced Restorations beginning work on downtown façades. On Tuesday, sheet metal was stripped off the building at 25 W. Franklin St., revealing masonry, doors and windows that have not seen the light of day for decades. The building currently serves as the office of Brent Mather of Brenner Design, who is overseeing the façade project.

Comments
View 7 comments
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. Please note that those who post comments on this website may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.
  • when restoring older buildings shouldn't there be before and after pictures. Maybe even pictures before the windows and doors were covered up, then after they were covered and now after this project is finished

    -- Posted by sierrabloom on Wed, Aug 15, 2012, at 9:40 AM
  • Really.....we are restoring the front of the office of the person overseeing this project? Sounds like more of our tax dollars being well spent....

    -- Posted by Bored-n-Gcastle2 on Wed, Aug 15, 2012, at 11:00 AM
  • I really like what is going on in Greencastle with the restoration work. Having grown up in and around Greencastle I have always marveled at the old architecture in town. I recently visited Greencastle and enjoyed looking around.

    To the critics, you will not appreciate what Greencasle has to offer until you live elsewhere for a long time and come back to visit.

    -- Posted by donantonioelsabio on Wed, Aug 15, 2012, at 11:57 AM
  • People need to remember that just because an office is in a building doesn't mean they are the building owner. All owners have a right to the grant money and if it is out there for some community why not be happy it was ours.

    -- Posted by Fritz on Wed, Aug 15, 2012, at 1:00 PM
  • I too am very happy to see that the downtown is getting a huge shot in the arm to the buildings! I hope it preserves them for the next generations to enjoy.

    I know that they got a grant for all of this and its great. But there are so many folks that are having financial problems in this city and there are no charities and institutions to reach out to for help. Even the trustee can only help with a small amount towards your electric bill. With al this money going everywhere please remember those in need.

    -- Posted by BTruth1958 on Thu, Aug 16, 2012, at 2:05 PM
  • Fritz: thanks for pointing out to Bored that the architect at Brenner Design is merely renting space while this project is up and running, and doesn't own the building that houses his office, and therefore reaps no benefits from having the work done there. In fact, it may be slightly inconvenient for him to set up shop in a construction zone even though it is centrally located.

    The construction workers who we see around us daily working on the various projects in town are getting paid wages. The project is providing jobs, some to local people, some to others. They have families and they are also, no doubt, spending some money in Greencastle. All of the building owners who are having work done to their buildings had to pay a percentage up front. Only time will tell if their investments in their buildings and in this community will pay off. Let's hope that it does.

    -- Posted by thinkpositive on Fri, Aug 17, 2012, at 9:06 AM
  • Grant type projects exactly like this one currently unfolding in Greencastle help the communities economy with a domino effect. The court house square building's, getting a face-lift, is not the only gains happening here. As stated above, the project itself will generate jobs for local residents, business for local retailers, and interest from surrounding communities, not to mention providing for the people directly involved in the project. The long term gains are restored downtown buildings and businesses, opportunity for more grant funded projects, and a thriving economic area that will attract new business. I know for a fact that these types of projects have goals established to spend a percentage of the grant dollars in Putnam County. As far as the Architect renting space in one of the buildings being restored...what better place to be then in the middle of you project? what better person to rent of off then a citizen of the community? I think it is wonderful that Greencastle is restoring their historic downtown!

    -- Posted by PMMiller on Wed, Aug 22, 2012, at 6:15 PM
Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: