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Renovations Boost Downtown Umatilla

    Downtown Umatilla is experiencing several upgrades, as two older, and unoccupied buildings have been undergoing renovations.  Both buildings, fixtures of the area for many decades, have been vacant for some time but are expected to be available for public use in the near future.
    At 55 North Central Avenue, a structure known as ‘the old bank building’ is being renovated to house RLW Realty. Currently housed south of downtown on SR 19, RLW Realty will move to the larger bank space once renovations are complete.  The structure is a historic one, and includes among its former residents United Southern Bank, which began in the location as Umatilla State Bank in 1937.  Before that, the building served a previous bank, and over the years has served as storage space,  a museum, and even the first office of this publication when it was founded in 1979.
    A few blocks north, G2 Builders owner Donnie Glessner is well into the renovation of a commercial space at the corner of SR 19 and Mitchner Street.  The brick and block structure also has roots back to the early 1900’s and over the years has served as a variety of restaurants, office space, and even an outdoor recreation outfitter.
    Glessner this week reported the building is being renovated for future commercial rental use and will be available for rent once complete.