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The 11,000-square-foot structure, built in 1902-1903, was gutted by
fire on Jan. 16, 2001. Since that date the structure has remained
vacant and boarded. Talk through the years of what to do with the
structure have even included the possible dropping of the fire- and
water-devastated building and turning the land into a downtown
parking lot.
Such conjecture can now be put to bed. The Scully Building will
be restored to its former historic glory, allowing for all necessary
modern changes of course.
Patrick and April Doolin, owners of Integrity Holdings, LLC, have
purchased the building. And, the good news is that the Doolins plan
an extensive and complete remodel of the structure.
The Doolins are not new to restoring downtown buildings. They
restored the building at 110 N. Kickapoo, where the Integrity Data
offices are located.
One of the key components that allowed the Doolins to take on the
Scully Building restoration as an investment was the report from
structural engineers who checked out the foundation. That inspection
came back with a comment that the Scully Building, with its concrete
foundation, was built like a "fortress" and that there were no
problems with the shell of the structure.
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The Doolins intend to modernize the interior, but respectfully keep
the historic significance of the landmark building named after the
famed Scully family. Patrick also wants to incorporate information
about the building and the Scully family in various ways inside the
structure to allow the connection with our heritage amidst a modern,
useful office space.
In some cases, fire-damaged wood trim and moldings will be taken
as patterns in order to reproduce new ones so that some of the
original appearance of the structure will still be included in the
restored building.
Currently there are no specific plans for how the interior will
be broken down, but Doolin foresees several suites being made
available within the building. The Doolins plan to meet with
designers in the next 60 days to begin the initial planning of work.
Patrick stated that his wife, April, with an eye for detail and
quality, would oversee much of the rebuild.
The process of rebuilding the Scully Building could take several
years. But in the end, one of the city's most distinctive and unique
structures will be opened for business again.
[By MIKE FAK]
For Mike Fak's article in the Perspectives section,
click here.
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