The 1860-built J.L. Putegnat and Brother Building in downtown Brownsville, TX is undergoing a $250,000 makeover. The family-owned, 5,000-square-foot two-story building, which originally housed a pharmacy and office space, saw its latest tenant move out last year.

“I want to see Brownsville, especially downtown, brought back to something other than a bunch of empty buildings and trinket shops,” owner Larry Putegnat told The Brownsville Herald.

The building’s original features include hand-carved wainscoting, a staircase, wood floors and high ceilings. Local Fernando Ballí is leading restoration efforts.

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