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"Brad and I would like to say a few words about the Bank Building, and the 3rd and last grand opening.
First I would like to speak to the history of the building and this project. I have enjoyed discovering the history of the town and this building during the last year.
"We believe the building was built, when the bank, Parkesburg National Bank, was established, in 1869. As the bank prospered, an addition was placed on the east side of the original building, which is the stone front of the Bank building. By 1900, Main Street sported a hotel, a bar for the hotel, (currently the Amtrak switching station mm the building), Owens Department Store, Stables, which was located where the parking lot is, and Sachs General Store.
"The commercial front of the Bank building housed a number of different stores including the Parkesburg Drug store, a variety store called the “bee hive”, and a jewelry store. The third floor was headquarters for the Masonic Lodge in 1883. We discovered during the renovation that the basement housed a bowling alley. The flooring material was repurposed countertops in the bank building and quite a few other buildings in the area. We added some additional “bowling alley” breakfast bar islands which has become an attractive leasing feature in the apartments.
"By 1924, the Parkesburg National Bank failed and the 30-40 shops that were present at the turn of the century where diminished to a handful of shops by the 1970’s, and many of the associated building where is disrepair or demolished.
"1n 1980, the building was in complete disrepair, boarded up and was slated to be demolished by the borough. Local developers Wick Williams along with Jeff Hery’s help saved the building by stepping up, when no one else would to renovate the building, in the face of strong opposition from the borough and county. Their grand opening was on a Saturday in November in 1982, almost 28 years ago to this Month. Wick owned the building for 22 years and sold it in 2004.
"We took over the building just about a year ago. Once again, the building was in disrepair. The building was vacant and in rough shape. There were 12 active leaks in the building coming from the roofs, windows, brick, gutters, downspouts, just about everywhere. The building was in need of renovation from top to bottom. Other than some of the obvious renovations, we rebuilt mansard level which included re hanging slate, rebuilding dormers, new windows throughout the 3rd floor. We replaced 85 percent of the Heating and Air condition, made major roof repairs and replaced and repaired all of the gutter systems. Work in the apartments included new flooring or refinishing the wood floors, extensive dry wall and finishing work, paint and had major upgrades to the kitchens and baths.
"I Would like to thanks the following folks:
"Wick Williams- He is owner and architect of Williams/Loustau. He performed architectural services for us during this project. In addition, he offered guidance and direction on the many questions we had during the renovation process of this building. Thanks for your support and passion for this building.
"Brent Balla- Brent is the owner of Balla Construction, a general contractor located in Parkesburg. Balla Construction performed numerous projects on the interior and exterior of the building including the rebuilding of the mansard level. Your commitment to this project was proven to me when you worked through last winter on the exterior of the building during many of the sub zero weather. Thanks for your commitment to getting this done.
"Jeff Taliercio- Jeff is owner of Premier Home Improvements. Jeff has been involved with daily operation of the building and renovation. Thanks for your efforts in handling the many problems that come with an old building like this.
"John Wilfong- John worked on some of the painting of the building and was the very involved with the commercial fit out. John, thanks for your excellent craftsmanship and quality work. I appreciate your commitment to doing this project right.
"Dave Smith- Dave has spent a good part of 9 months, primarily painting the building inside and out. Thanks for your tireless commitment and loyalty to completing this job. Dave this was no small feat and something you should be proud of.
"Thanks for my family for the sacrifices they have made to during this project.
"Brad—my partner at Great Oak Capital. Thanks for having the guts, and courage, and determination to pull this off during the heart of the worst recession since the depression.
"As we worked through this process, it was amazing to see how many people who searched us out to speak of their passion for Parkesburg and this building. They all thanked us for what we have done to the building. I feel honored to take a part in restoring this building and bringing the glory back to this building and making a positive change to main street in Parkesburg.
2 comments:
Parkesburg has such beautiful buildings. Childhood memmories of Parkesburg will be with me forever........
Agreed! Come back and visit sometime.
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