Brick Facades Uncovered On Maxwell Avenue
February 1, 2008
By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal Staff Writer
GREENWOOD, SC - After 99 years, it was time for a little facelift.
Workers from Town and Country began ripping the stucco facade off buildings at 120 and 122 Maxwell Ave. on Thursday morning in Greenwood. In doing so, brick masonry that hasn’t seen the light of day in decades was exposed.
The work is part of the continuing facade improvements on Maxwell Avenue. Twenty-two buildings are set to have work done to improve the thoroughfare’s aesthetics.
Assistant City Manager Charlie Barrineau talked Thursday about the work done at 122 Maxwell, most recently known as the Habitat for Humanity Resale Store. The building is owned by Central Trust.
“That one was built in 1909, so it’s almost 100,” Barrineau said. “In tearing off that stucco, it will reveal four or five original window wells. Assuming we can make sure they are structurally sound, the plan is to once again make those into functioning windows.”
Barrineau said the building next door, 120 Maxwell -- owned by Greenwood Development Corp. and most recently known as a thrift store -- was built in 1908.
The total cost for the facade improvements is roughly $1 million. Of that amount, a large portion is being provided by a grant from the S.C. Department of Commerce’s Rural Infrastructure Opportunity Grant Program.
Separately, the city has set up for the project a $350,000 low-interest loan pool for property owners in the Uptown Overlay District. The terms of the loan are five years at 3 percent interest.
Barrineau said the owners of 122 and 120 Maxwell are participating in the loan pool to have additional work done to their buildings.
The assistant city manager added there are no concrete plans for what will go into the old Habitat and thrift buildings on Maxwell once renovations are complete.
“Right now, the property owners are simply letting the construction take place,” Barrineau said. “Once construction is finalized, we’ll see where they go from there.”
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132 Maxwell Avenue (below) - Formerly Sligh & Wilson Appliances, this 6,100 square foot building constructed in 1902 is having much of it's original architectural elements restored (view from Oregon Avenue)
122 Maxwell Avenue (below) - Formerly the Habitat Resale Store, this 7,500 square foot building constructed in 1909 is undergoing the removal of stucco added many decades ago.
140 Maxwell Avenue (below) - Formerly B&P Auto Parts, this 3,300 square foot building constructed in 1901 has had paint chemically removed and original decorative glass features restored.
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