Revitalization and historic preservation are going on, hand-in-hand, throughout downtown Johnson City, Tennessee.
The sound of construction fills the air, signalling new life for old buildings and an emphasis on historic preservation.
“The uses may change a little bit from what it was but again we are going to try to honor that history of the building,” said building owner Shawn Blount.
Blount is working to restore a 1920s Main Street building, but he’s not the only one at work.
The city is helping as it awards grants for facade facelifts.
Downtown development manager, Dianna Cantler, hopes to see a variety of retailers in restored buildings and the city grants will be well worth the investment.
“The building owners have come in and taken off the facade that was placed there in the 1960’s during urban redevelopment and are bringing it back to its original beauty,” Cantler said