Revamping Downtown Fenton

The intersection of is being revamped. Well at least one corner of it.

What we have been discussing in this household for the last year is why they are redoing one of the two corners that looks fairly good? What are they going to do with the historic building that could be beautiful and right now is an eyesore? I keep saying, if I had the money and the time, I would go fix it up myself. What a shame that such a gorgeous building has to fall to waste and in such a state of disrepair.

The first time I drove through that area of Fenton, I was on my way to Linden, where my mother had just moved, about five years ago. That building was like a mile marker for me at the time, I could gauge my distance to her house based on my entering that intersection. I always thought  it was a remarkable building and should be fixed up.

Now I just drive through, and while I still want to run out with my scraper and my paintbrush, overalls on and hammer through the loop of my belt, it makes me sad to drive that intersection, knowing that when the new development is finished, this building will seem even worse in comparison.

Having never itemized the cost of the many home repairs and renovations I have done with youth groups and friends and neighbors, I wouldn't have the faintest idea how much it would cost to renovate a building like that, but surely this community could find a great use for it? I heard that the library is looking for somewhere else to go - why not there? The city is looking to make it more of a walkable downtown community, I would most definitely be walking the community more if there was a library in the middle of it.

Is there a reason this building hasn't been touched for so long? I know that I am relatively new to this city so there is probably a lot that I don't realize has gone on, but in all of the talk about the new buildings, I have yet to hear anything about this one. Has anyone any idea how much money it would take to revamp it? Any other ideas for what could go in here? I have lots of them - and if I had the money I would make it happen.