Work begins on historic Heywood building

Published 9:26 am Friday, January 16, 2015

JENNINGS — Work began Thursday to give new life to the historic Heywood Building downtown.

The Jeff Davis Arts Council, who took ownership of the building Wednesday from Main and Market Inc., signed a contract Thursday with E.L. Habetz Builders of Crowley to begin the first phase of the restoration project.

“Common sense would tell us to tear it down, but no one ever accused me of having common sense,” former mayor Greg Marcantel said shrugging off the non-believers.

Marcantel has led efforts to save the aging structure and return it to a functional and necessary part of downtown Jennings.

The first visible signs of work to salvage the aging structure are underway as crews work to remove and save about 40 panels of black glass unique to the structure’s facade.

Tim Dunn, a glass specialist from St. Louis, Mo., arrived in Jennings this week to help officials salvage the iconic black glass panels from the buildings facade. The panels will be stored until they are ready to be put back on the building.

Dunn, who saw the building for the first time this week, said he was impressed with the early-1900s architect style of the building and the efforts to save the structure.  

“This building is special because it is at the core of the downtown,” Dunn said. “If you lose this you will never get it back. Either you save it or you don’t.”

“In everybody’s mind this building is here and when it’s gone its going to be a loss and a loss that can’t be fixed. The building is the spirit and heart of downtown and needs to be saved.”

A local fund raising effort, has raised $150,000 to help stabilize the walls, clear the structure of debris and install a new roof. An additional $100,000 is needed to complete the restoration.

“The idea is to start with the interior to brace it and secure the walls so they don’t tumble over,” Marcantel said. “Once we feel they are secure enough, we will begin removing the debris from the interior roof and floors and work to waterproof the structure.”

The initial phase of the project is expected to take 120 days, he said.

City officials had recommended the structure be demolished last year, but halted those plans after efforts were revived to save the century-old structure.

Originally built in 1903, the building is easily the most recognized and beloved building in the city, Marcantel said.

The structure sits on the corner of Main and Market streets, directly across from what will soon be the new home of the Jennings City Hall and Zigler Art Museum.

The building was remodeled in the 1930s into an art-deco jewel, composed of three triangular stories and encased in shining black glass and marble.

Over the years, it has housed offices for the Heywood Oil Syndicate, a retail store, hair salon and was the local campaign headquarters for John F. Kennedy in 1960.

The building has sat empty for more than a decade and has fallen on hard times becoming an eyesore and safety concern for the city, Marcantel said.

The roof is gone. Foliage grows on the ground floor. Windows are broken. Ceilings have collapsed.

The city closed sidewalks around the building last year to protect passers-by from failing bricks, mortar and glass.

Plans for the building include office and exhibit space for the Arts Council, A Block Off Broadway Community Theatre, the Strand Theatre and the Fred B. and Ruth B. Zigler Foundation. The building could also provide space for providing joint cultural programs with local museums and the Strand Theatre and historical exhibits.

Crews work to remove the black glass panels from the historic Heywood Building in  downtown Jennings on Thursday. A local fundraising effort has raised $150