Greiner Buildings scraps second story addition plans

WASHINGTON — Owners of an under-reconstruction building destroyed by a fire in Washington last year have abandoned plans for the redesign’s previously announced second-story expansion.

“We would like to thank everybody who has assisted us recently regarding our change in building plans,” said a post on the Greiner Buildings Inc. Facebook Page. “As always, we continue to have big visions for Greiner Plaza and are excited to share our new design with you all — We can already envision a 12' Christmas tree in the front window!”

Greiner Buildings has attributed the change of course to “structural integrity complications,” although occupants of a neighboring building had also complained that the expansion would block a window.

Office Manager Ashley Greiner said that opposition played a role in the decision as well.

“We don’t want to upset the community by enhancing a building,” she said.

The new plan for the building uses a gabled roof, adding some space to a meeting room on the building’s south side. That approach also shaves off four to six weeks of construction time, according to Greiner, who said the business hoped its move-in date would now come before April.

Greiner said the business was enthusiastic about the latest designs, despite some hesitation about swapping from the original plan.

“We spent a lot of time designing the second story addition, so of course it is disappointing to bring something so close to life, and then have to revert,” she said. “But needless to say, we are excited by our new design, as it is a major improvement to the front of our building and will bring great curb appeal to our downtown.”

The change prompted the Washington City Council last week to nullify a $50,000 Downtown Investment Grant for the building.

The funds for that program, coordinated through Main Street Washington, were intended only for the building’s improvement — the second story expansion — rather than its reconstruction or repairs, according to the language of a motion authorizing the grant in May.

After last week’s meeting, City Administrator McCusker said the money would go back into the pool for future DIG grants.

“It’s back into our budget, and then it’s opened up for someone else,” she said. “It moves the money to another project.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com