One of the largest buildings in Downtown Ashland is getting a facelift. With temperatures dipping into the teens, work continues on the former Sears building on the corner of 16th Street and Winchester Avenue. The building's owner, Perry Madden, expects to have the exterior renovations completed by middle to late April.

The scope of work includes tuck pointing of the brick work, window rehab/replacement, replacing terra-cotta, grading and paving of the parking lot.

For several years the building was covered with a facade which veiled most of the architectural beauty of the building. It was attached to the original exterior with anchor bolts, mortar, and other commercial grade adhesives. When the facade was removed, most of the design work underneath had suffered significant damage.