Tim Davidson’s prescription to improve his pharmacy’s appearance and restore his building’s character was filled by the Oxford Downtown Development Authority.
The DDA recently voted unanimously to award a $10,000 facade grant and $1,500 door grant to Patterson Prescription Pharmacy, which Davidson has owned since 1994.
‘We’re looking to restore the building to its original appearance, but still improve the functionality,? he said. ‘You try to sell quality products and do a quality job. You want to work in an environment that reflects that.?
The downtown landmark, located at the southwest corner of Washington (M-24) and Burdick streets, was last renovated prior to the late Bill Patterson’s purchase of it in 1964.
Davidson plans to make all the necessary repairs, update signage, improve exterior lighting, put on a fresh coat of paint and transform the facade using architectural elements from the building’s past.
‘We’re trying to restore the character the way so many of the buildings have downtown,? he said.
Using old photos, including a black-and-white postcard from 1909, Davidson hopes ‘to recapture some of that feel and the image of the building,? which, over the years, has served as a pool hall, post office, Kroger grocery store and a pharmacy.
To help with that process, he consulted local experts such as architect Jim Wilson, contractor Dave Weckle and interior designer Dianne Offer, who advised him on exterior colors.
Davidson hopes to start the renovation in the coming weeks and be done with the project ‘before the snow flies.?
The pharmacist admitted he couldn’t do all this without the DDA grants. ‘It allows us to go beyond just repairing things and painting and do more restoration and improvement of the building’s appearance,? he said.
Davidson said the process of applying for the DDA grants was ‘very streamlined and very easy.? He filled out a ‘very simple? application, which was reviewed by the DDA’s Design Committee to see if the proposed project met the downtown district’s standards and guidelines.
The Design Committee was extremely cooperative, encouraging and helpful with its suggestions, in Davidson’s opinion.
‘They were kind enough to walk up here one night and see firsthand what it looks like now,? he said.
DDA Chairman Mark Young, owner of Mark A. Young Jewelers, is excited about the Patterson Pharmacy renovation because of the store’s prominent location and notoriety.
‘It’s one of the most important corners of our village,? he said.
Young said the grant-financed project will ‘showcase? how tax money collected by the DDA is reinvested in the district to improve the downtown.
‘I think it’s an excellent way to put the money back in the town,? he said.
In addition to Patterson’s $11,500, the DDA recently awarded a total of $9,435 in grants to four other local businesses and properties for various improvements to their exteriors.
Anyone with a business or building in the DDA district is eligible to apply for grants relating to facades, doors, awnings and signs.
The maximum facade grant is $10,000, according to Young, while the maximum for doors, awnings or signs is $1,500 each.
‘Everybody has a fair shot at it,? he said.