Historic Downtown Building To Get New Look

    Umatilla’s most prominent downtown building is going to get a new look. The historic three-story structure located at 9 North Central Avenue is set to undergo a facade upgrade that will include a change from a dark red color to a neutral, light greay look.
   The project is being partially funded by the City of Umatilla Community Redevelopment District grant program. On Tuesday night, the Umatilla City Council, meeting as the town CRA board, approved a $10,000 request submitted by building owner Jonathan Jennings via Umatilla Colonial, LLC.
   The council approved OCD Painting and Flooring as the project’s contractor, with the firm estimating the cost of the job at $32,000.
   Work is expected to include all exterior walls, decking, soffits, and fascia.
   The building, which features first-floor commercial uses and two stories of residential rentals, was constructed in 1922 and has served as a keystone structure in downtown Umatilla ever since. After falling into disrepair over the years, the City of Umatilla pursued a demolition of the structure in the 1990s. However, it has remained structurally viable since, and underwent a major renovation around 2011.
   Lake County records indicate that in April of this year, the building was sold for $1.475 million.
   “We’re trying to beautify the outside,” Jennings said at the meeting.