By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
The City of Decatur is looking to the once-dilapidated downtown Faurote building to solve some of its storage problems.
A city-owned building on Grant St. has been used for storage for years. It was, however, sold to the county well over a year ago, and while the county granted the city time to move out, city officials agree it needs to be vacated soon.
Another building used for storage, the former Mark’s AC Heating Refrig building on First St., is deteriorating and it likely going to have to come down before too long.
A portion of the Second St. building should at least ease some of the space problems.
The failing building in the heart of the downtown area was turned over to the city by owner Paul Faurote some two years ago. It was deemed unsafe, condemned, and the city paid some $150,000 to have it secured.
A back portion of the structure, however, wasn’t in such pitiful shape. City officials have been able obtain a state Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) grant of $285,000 which will upgrade it.
Although no final decisions have been made, it seems likely that the money will be used to put on a new roof, add an overhead door, improve lighting, and detach the back portion from the front part – providing new storage space.
The grant was obtained because the city former a partnership with its redevelopment commission. When the renovation is completed, the building will be owned by the commission, with the city being given a long-term lease.
The front portion of the building could wind up being made available for sale.
(Photos show the rear of the building and the side portion which was braced for support, with Monster Pizza’s outdoor dining area at left.)
