The owner of Salem Travel says the final phase of their window replacement project in their historic building at Main and Broadway in downtown Salem is being completed this week. windows!
Jeannell Charman says this is the final phase of an expensive but essential exterior building renovation. The 16 window openings require 32 windows because after the ceilings were dropped in the 40s each replacement window actually consists of a stationary window above a functioning window.
This section of windows costs $23,000. The City has committed $10,000 in Tax Increment Funds towards the work. Charman says the overall project has taken five years but is well worth the time and money invested. She believes that replacing the windows has been the most significant improvement to downtown Salem in recent years.
Charman feels boarded-up windows project a negative image in any town. Ideally, she’d like to see other building owners seek TIF funds to help restore their buildings.
There are no immediate plans to renovate the second or third floor, but she would consider selling the building to an ambitious developer.
The Window Source located in Geff, Illinois has replaced the windows on all four sides of the building.
