Old building getting a new look

In the heart of downtown Gretna, at the southwest corner of Angus Street and McKenna Avenue, sits a red brick building. All boarded up. No windows. No front door. A silent historical place.

Then two weeks ago, it opened up. Someone had installed new plywood to the windows, cracked opened the front corner door and added caution tape around the structure.

Jim Warren, Gretna resident and business man, said he purchased the building a few months ago as an investment. He also supports the historical downtown area and wanted to help the area thrive again.

“I don’t want to see it deteriorate,” he said. “I want to see it improve.”

Warren said the building is structurely sound.

“So basically we are tearing everything out,” he said.

The windows, doors, electrical wiring and fuse panel, plumbing, floor, walls and insulation to name a few things will be replaced. The air conditioning and heating units will be repiped. He’s looking forward to seeing the windows, which will be energy efficient, again on the east and north sides. Workers will try to keep the metal ceiling and replace the tiles if need be.

Warren said he wants to maintain its early 1900s style as much as possible. Most, if not all, of the improvements will be upstairs while the basement is bare.

Warren said the building was erected in 1918 and had served as many different businesses, like a grocery store, bank, antique store and poultry and produce shop. He even worked out of it with Warren Real Estate and Insurance in the 1960s and early 1970s.

What he doesn’t know is when the building renovations will be complete and what business will go in there next. He’s been approached by several people interested in buying the building when the work is complete, but has not yet decided what he wishes to see there. It could be a small retail store or small restaurant.

“Something that will draw traffic to downtown,” he said.

« Gretna Breeze

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