Over the next year, Designs By Sharon will have a significant transformation on its exterior — and the floor above it will have a new look on the interior.
Panels on the front of the building’s second floor started coming down Friday after being in place since 1970. Designs by Sharon owner Sharon Ewing says she’s wanted to start on this project for years.
Ewing is moving forward with a longstanding desire to work on the upper level at 703 Commercial with the city’s recent approval of a hew Rural Housing Incentive District policy, which allows upper-story development in the downtown area. Ewing credited the work of Emporia Main Street and State Preservationist Christy Davis for moving this project forward.
Ewing plans to turn an existing three-bedroom apartment into a two-bedroom apartment with a den and also turn existing office space into a three-bedroom apartment. In the short term, the goal is to remove the panels on both the front and the back of the building.
The entire project could cost around $800,000. Ewing says most is covered by RHID and other state funds, but the exact amount is not immediately available.
