Plans in the works to redevelop McGregor’s Masonic Block building

By Audrey Posten, Times-Register

Plans are in the works to redevelop one of McGregor’s most historic downtown structures. Black Swan Developers has proposed a $2.6 million to $2.8 million renovation project for the Masonic Block building at 134-138 Main St.

Built in 1866, the Masonic Block was designed by McGregor architect Elias Jacobs and constructed by Clarke and Rich, who were wholesale dealers in liquor, cigars, oysters and billiard tables. According to the McGregor historic walking tour booklet, the Masonic Temple and Lodge Hall were located on the upper floors, while the lower level housed a variety of businesses over the years, including Newell’s Drug Store around 1874 and a bowling alley and flour and feed store in 1902. Later tenants were Goodie Garden, Polar Pantry and, in the 1950s, Kueters’ Cleaners. The McGregor Library was even located there at one time, as was the First Congregational Church, temporarily, in 1949, when the church burned. In the 1980s and 1990s, it was home to the Stone Balloon Book Store, which had a tea garden in back.

Don and Mary Lou Hattery began restoration of the building and, in 1999, Bruce and Pat Dillman finished the downstairs to house their antique shop, Diamond Jo Trading, until it closed over a decade ago.

However, now in disrepair, the 15,000-square-foot building is in need of a major renovation to bring it into the 21st century. According to Black Swan Developers, there is currently no working heating or cooling in the complex, with limited plumbing and electric on the first floor.

Work will also include restoring the original storefront doors and windows, as well as restoring the upper story windows and brick work. In the rear of the complex, the windows will be re-installed and there will be significant structural repairs. The building will be restored per the Secretary of the Interior’s standards for historic renovations.

The completed project will consist of commercial/retail space on the first floor and apartments/condos on the two upper floors.

“It will be beautiful when we’re done, and I think it’s an important part of the town history in restoring this landmark building,” said Matt Aust, president of Black Swan Developers.

Black Swan discovered the McGregor project in an interesting way. Aust was speaking with historian Jan Olive Full about a project in another community and, at the end of the conversation, asked if she knew of any other historic buildings that needed help.

“She said there was a gem of a building in McGregor that a friend of hers owned. Honestly, we had no clue where McGregor was. But Jan put us in touch with Brian Dillman, who was super friendly and could not be any nicer in answering questions about the building and sending pictures,” shared Aust. “Eventually, we made a trip over on a Saturday and spent a few hours in the building.”

The next week, Aust spoke with McGregor’s city administrator, Lynette McManus, to see how helpful the city could be with the project. He said McManus, along with McGregor’s deputy city clerk and economic development lead, Duane Boelman, have been great to deal with.

“And that’s why we decided to purchase the building,” he commented. “We have only been to town three times now for a half day each time, but it just feels like a special place. The people are so friendly and it could not be a more beautiful setting.”

In November, the city gave another show of support for the project, as the council authorized the submission of a Community Catalyst Remediation Program Grant application to the Iowa Economic Development Authority. The Community Catalyst Grant could be up to $100,000, and the council approved the financial and/or in-kind match of $10,000 through McGregor’s Business Enhancement Grant Program and any successful match grants awarded to the city in support of the project.

Moving forward, Aust said the project timeline depends on a lot of variables. Jan Olive Full, the historian, is working on the project, which he noted is vital to getting the building on the National Register of Historic Places and meeting certain tax credit process deadlines. 

“The good thing is that Jan has made this a priority project. She has also uncovered fascinating history on the building along the way,” Aust said.

In addition, Aust’s wife’s architecture firm currently has two architects working on the project full time. He hopes schematic designs will be finished toward the end of December. This will help determine what the inside of the building will look like after renovation.

“Although it will be awhile before you see construction going on in the building, we are spending a considerable amount of time and money on developing the architectural and engineering plans for the project,” Aust said.

Once started, construction will take up to 12 months to complete.