The original storefront windows on many of the buildings have been covered up after decades of remodeling, Nelson said. “They are really wanting those transom windows open and exposed in the downtown areas. “All the windows are being custom-made for the project to bring it back to what it looked like originally, which is part of what the Diamonds in the Rough grant wants,” said Eddie Nelson, the DDA treasurer who helped write the grant application. The work on the building, 962 Main St., is paid for with a state grant, Diamonds in the Rough, and a Dallas Urban Renewal District facade grant.Īdding the windows to the front is more than just a way to let in more natural light, it also helped the couple get the state grant, with the assistance of the Dallas Downtown Association. Wright, who owns the bar with his wife Christine, said workers are framing in the new facade, which will add side columns and large windows. “It’s not historically accurate, and it’s ugly.” “It had to be removed because that was all stuff they put up in the 1960s,” said owner Jason Wright. It may difficult to imagine now, because the facade is a giant hole after workers stripped away layers of what used to be the face of Corby’s. “It’s based on funding, so it’s good to know that Oregon is supporting its businesses and its history,” Christine said.ĭALLAS - The Dallas Forty in downtown is steadily making its way back to Corby’s, both in name and appearance. Jason said he didn’t have a lot of hope it would. Given how competitive the Diamonds in Rough grant is, Christine and Jason still are celebrating that their application made the cut. He said they will apply for the state’s Main Street program grant, which pays for interior remodeling. Jason said at some point they would like remodel the inside, which could include remodeling a second floor that is hidden by a drop ceiling. “Taking the business back to the historic name of Corby’s will be bringing a lot of wonderful memories back to so many Dallas residents.” “The DDA is very excited to be working with Jason and Christine in restoring the Dallas Forty,” she said. “We know it’s old, though,” Christine said.Įddie Nelson, the DDA’s treasurer, said she was thrilled to learn the DDA had received its first Diamonds in the Rough grant. She said they aren’t certain just how long that history is, with some documents saying the building was constructed in 1910, while the deed says 1925. “I think that we saw a lot of potential in the history of it,” Christine said. They purchased the bar last August after researching the business. Work on the facade will begin after being given the go-ahead from a structural engineer, Jason said. “We are looking forward to bringing some of the outdoors in here,” Christine said. The restoration will open up the front windows, including the transom windows that have been boarded over for years. “A lot of the regulars still call it Corby’s.” “Corby’s was the most memorable in this place,” Jason said. Owners Jason and Christine Wright said the building has been a bar since the 1930s, but was known as Corby’s for the longest time, from 1946 to 1996. The grant, which awards up to $20,000, will be combined with another through the Dallas Urban Renewal District. The Dallas Downtown Association applied for the grant on behalf of the longstanding business.ĭiamond in the Rough pays for historical facade restorations and, in this case, will take the front of the building back to what it looked like in the 1940s. The downtown bar, located on Main Street, is the recipient of a Diamonds in the Rough grant through the state Historic Preservation Office. DALLAS - Dallas Forty will soon be known as Corby’s again.
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