From the News-Sentinel:

“Allen County and the prosecutor’s office are looking for contractors to perform a series of renovation work, inside and out, to the Keystone Building at 606 S. Calhoun St. The three-story brick building, directly across the street from the City-County Building’s parking garage, requires an estimated $1.42 million in repairs and updates as new offices are planned for installation in the largely vacant first floor.”

[...]

“The first floor was occupied by the county’s election and voters registration offices until they moved into the adjacent City-County Building last year, leaving only the prosecutors.”

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“Significant work to the outside of the building, erected in the late 1800s, is also planned for this project. Roof and exterior window replacement will be attached to the upgrade.

Work on the exterior of the building will be financed through the county’s cumulative capital fund.

The last major renovation work to Keystone was in 1987. The building received $1.7 million in work done after a partial collapse in 1984.”

“Calhoun Street, looking south from Columbia, Fort Wayne IN: ca. 1888″
Keystone Building on the right. Image from Allen County Community Album.

“CALHOUN STREET LOOKING SOUTH FROM COLUMBIA, FORT WAYNE IN: SHOWING HOF BRAU CAFE, PEOPLES CLOTHING, DOME OF COURTHOUSE, DRUGSTORE, CLEMERS QUICK LUNCH, CENTLIVRE BEER, KANE’S, STREET LAMPS, TROLLEY TRACKS AND LINES”
Keystone Building on the right. Image from Allen County Community Album.

“FORT WAYNE STREETS, CALHOUN CALHOUN STREET, LOOKING SOUTH FROM COLUMBIA STREET”
Keystone Building on the right, with mid century facade. Image from Allen County Community Album.

“Sigrist Furniture Company Fire 606 South Calhoun Street. Date 08/23/1951″
Keystone Building on the left. Image from Allen County Community Album.

The Keystone Building is significant to me because it is the first place I ever voted. The building is over 100 years old and survived a fire and a partial collapse.

Kudos to the prosecutor’s office and the county for doing the right thing and keeping a good urban building viable.

Keystone Building – 2009