struggles to fill the empty space
In January a sprinkler head broke causing some flooding in part of the gable's building.
The historic Altoona site at 1331 12th Street was then vacated and condemned by city officials which said there were concerns for the electrical system.
A co-manager of the building says it was about a month ago the red condemned tags were able to be taken off the building... As they now look to fill the empty space that was left behind.
“Anytime you have a red tag on a building people make assumptions and rumors will fly,” Gable's Building co-manager Pam Mitchell said. “Obviously there's been the perception that the building is falling apart, that it's in deterioration.”
Managers said engineers inspecting the building tell them structural damage is not an issue after the water was cleaned up.
Another co-manager Andrae Holsey said there has been some trouble getting businesses and the community to buy back into the building.
“It's a little disheartening,” Holsey said. “But we just continue to bring people into the building, engage with the former people who made it what it was when it was the gable's department store, and just keep trying to reinstall confidence in the downtown area as we move along.”
He said there are currently five tenants in the building and there is over 150,000 square feet of space.
“You could essentially fit every major industry in Blair County in this building and still have space,” Holsey said. “This building’s use and potential is pretty much unlimited.”
Building managers said they have been in contact with several local companies and a few large companies as they look to fill the empty space.
“Start-up businesses, non-profits, religious organizations, political organizations. Whoever wants to come out and be a part of this development, we're more than welcoming to them,” Holsey said.
He said for anyone interested in inquiring about space in the building to visit the office along 12th Avenue in Altoona Monday to Thursday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. or reach out to DSD Investors at (559) 217-9844.
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