Old building gets a new life

Once again, Don and Becky Murphy are giving a facelift to the downtown - or at least part of it. The Murphys, through their company Cimarron Investments LLC, have committed to a major renovation of the building at Third and Locust that many Columbians remember as the Jack Horner shoe store. The Murphys plan to put on a new roof, install an elevator, and replace first-floor windows with full-length ones. The building will be renovated inside and out, including existing apartments.  Current occupants will be moved to other units in the building as their apartment comes up for renovation. 

When the project is completed, the Murphys hope it will resemble Eagle Hall, a men's and boys' club that once occupied the building. However, existing awning hardware can't be used, because new windows won't be compatible. New awnings will be installed at a later date and will resemble the ones at the Marriott Hotel in Lancaster. 

Target date for completion is mid- to late fall of this year, according to Don Murphy. 

 Workers have removed some of the building's facade, revealing the original steel columns (shown in red).

 Existing hardware from the original awnings was recently exposed by workers.

 A close-up of the awning hardware

 A view from inside. 

These windows on the first floor will be replaced with full-length ones.

 This insert on the building reads: "SWARTZ 1902"

 Workers removed sections of the building facade this week.

 Becky Murphy (in pink shirt) looks over the project.

 Recently removed awning hardware

 Leftovers after hardware was removed.

Exposed areas were covered with plastic on Friday to protect them against rain. The track near the middle of the photo is nearly bare since hardware was removed.