The City of Jefferson is working on its final building that it owns on the downtown square.

City Administrator Mike Palmer says crews are continuing to do demolition work on the former AirTemp building at 107 North Chestnut Street. The City Council purchased the building in 2019 for $6,600. Palmer points out that asbestos is being removed from the building, along another exterior demolition project.

“You can’t see it from the street but there’s a small, little apartment on top of one of the buildings up there. Unfortunately that has to be removed so we can get the rood straightened out and draining correctly.”    

Palmer notes that once the apartment is removed, the vinyl siding on the facade will be removed and the historical brick facade will be replaced, along with converting the interior to a plain “white box” form. 

Mayor Matt Gordon shares his thoughts on the City down to owning one downtown building, along with acknowledging the work that Building Official Chad Stevens has done.

“Well I’m glad to see it. Not only are we getting rid of some buildings downtown, but we’re also getting businesses in those buildings. Definitely, Chad (Stevens) has done a great job. He’s just done a fantastic job of working with people to get these buildings completed and get them into the hands of property owners.”     

Palmer adds, unlike some of these other properties the City has owned before, there is interest from potential buyers for the former AirTemp building.