Downtown Washington building improvements continue

Several buildings in the Main Street Washington downtown district are making progress to restore their historical look.

old metal slipcoversJust started this week, the venerable WOLF FLORAL store on the south side of the square is removing the metal slip cover as the first step in a restoration. Wolf Floral moved into this location 98 years ago in 1913. Terry Philips of TK Enterprises is removing the metal and damaged bricks.

The improvements will fit in well with other improvements on the block, including the Central Park Community Center and the new LEED certified Washington Free Public Library building.

old Washington CafeAnother project making progress is the INSURANCE ON THE AVENUE project restoring an old cafe site on North Iowa Ave. Ann Williams plans to move her Farm Bureau Insurance agency into the building in 2012. The renovation also includes a large, 1,400 s.f. upstairs apartment that has been unused for many years. Currently, William's office is in the building next door.

Main Street Washington, the City of Washington, Main Street Iowa, and the Washington County Riverboat Foundation assisted in the design or financial assistance in getting these projects moving.