[Source: Teya Vitu, Tucson Citizen] -- A $2 million restoration of the downtown Rialto block will likely begin by October, with a restaurant possibly in place on the ground floor in about a year. Building owners Doug Biggers and Tom Powers have construction permits for facade work set to start in 30 to 45 days, Biggers said. The portion to be restored is just west of the Rialto Theater, 318 E. Congress St.The restored facade will reflect the original 1920s' look with large windows and marble below the windows. Above the storefronts, Biggers plans to restore transoms made with prismatic leaded glass, of which one original exists. The new facade would be finished in February, Biggers said. "The Hotel Congress is a pretty good future mirror (of the Rialto block)," Biggers said about the 1918-19 hotel across the street. "The present condition at best is dilapidated, a mass of different styles, storefronts, windows and doors. We're putting it back to the 1920s."
Biggers said their plans have approvals from the state's Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service. Negotiations could wrap up in a couple weeks to commit a restaurant to about half the ground floor in the middle of the block on Congress. Biggers did not name the restaurateur but said the person has owned downtown restaurants. [Note: To read the full article, click here. Photo source: Tucson Citizen]
