COLDWATER, MI — Over a decade after a bidding war, CPA James W. Gordon is renewing the outside of 92 West Chicago St. to preserve its history.
“I’ve always liked the look of it,” he said.
Crews from Building Restoration, based in Parchment, have spent the past three weeks performing a comprehensive overhaul of the masonry exterior, preserving its structure and historical character in accordance with deed restrictions.
Gordon first noticed the building when he moved to town and worked for Plante Moran nearby. “It always seemed like a neat little building, and I appreciate historic places,” he said.
So much so that he won a bidding war to buy the 1920s-era Standard Oil gas station in October 2013 after first offering the $40,000 appraisal.
The sale followed months of written offers and counteroffers by Gordon and financial advisor Tracy Kelley, with required waiting periods under the city charter, which mandates that accepted offers on city-owned property remain open for 30 days.
The city moved forward with a final public auction, ultimately selling the property to Gordon for $65,000.The current restoration wrapped up this week, featuring repainted signs, repointed mortar joints, new bricks where needed, and sealing to prevent future water damage.
“We did a lot of masonry work—repointing, replacing damaged bricks, fixing failed joints, applying a masonry coating to waterproof the building and keep moisture out,” job supervisor Joshua Munn said.
“We also patched areas, including the old Standard Oil sign and the torch emblem,” Munn added.
Munn noted that previous paint applications may have contributed to deterioration.
“Painting masonry can trap moisture inside,” he explained. “When that trapped water freezes, it expands and starts damaging the brick from within.”
By sealing the building and repairing damaged areas, the restoration is expected to add decades—possibly another 100 years—to its lifespan, Gordon said.
Gordon said maintaining the building’s original character was a priority throughout the project. The owner worked closely with the Historic Commission to ensure the exterior repairs and materials met preservation guidelines.
“They had requirements for the outside, so we made sure everything complied,” Gordon said.
When Gordon took possession, the interior underwent a complete transformation, including structural updates and reconfiguration of ceiling heights.
An I-beam was installed in the main office for added support, resolving previous structural concerns.
“There were leaks and other issues before,” Gordon said. “We gutted and rebuilt the interior to make it fully functional.”
While early plans called for nine-foot ceilings throughout, the building’s structure—once used as a service space with higher ceilings—led to adjustments.
Ultimately, eight-foot ceilings were installed in some areas, creating storage space above.
Reflecting on the purchase and renovation of his CPA office, Gordon said, “We’re really happy with how it turned out.”
Contact Don Reid, dReid@USATodayCo.Com
This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: CPA James W. Gordon restored his 1920s Standard Oil station office
Reporting by Don Reid, Coldwater Daily Reporter / Coldwater Daily Reporter
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