Eight years ago, the building at 110 E. Second St. was an eyesore - and that's putting it mildly.
Left unattended for years, the building's roof was in such a state of disrepair that even when it wasn't raining, water would run down through the building. Past owners had placed old mattresses and kiddie pools throughout the upper floors to catch water from all the leaks. Plaster ceilings throughout the building had collapsed and, in some places, holes had appeared in the floors. Merchandise was scattered through the 24,000-square-foot building, which once housed Nelson's Department Store on the third and fourth floors and, later, an electronic repair shop on the ground floor.
The building was so badly deteriorated that the city of Jamestown was prepared to have it demolished. But then Pete Miraglia, a Cincinnati resident who grew up in Jamestown, saw it and decided to purchase it. Where others saw an eyesore, Miraglia saw potential.
''Structurally, the building was sound,'' he said. ''And if you've got that, you can do pretty much anything within that space.''
Miraglia grew up in Jamestown in the 1960s and 1970s and says he ''saw the town die - literally.''
''I remember Crescent Tool moving out,'' he said. ''I remember when the Chautauqua Mall was built how all the merchants left here in droves. Before long, the only thing left was bars and even those died after awhile.''
But now he's back with a vision that is larger than the building he owns.
''When I was a kid, I was fascinated by the downtown,'' he said. ''I just couldn't get over it. I loved the architecture. There's so much potential, not only for this building, but for the whole downtown. Ten years ago, downtown Jamestown was just a mess. But now, it's making a comeback. A lot of people see the same things I do and they're slowly and quietly trying to do something about it.''
'YOU HAVE TO HAVE A VISION'
The building's first floor is now occupied by Chautauqua Music.
Formerly located at the corner of Main and Second streets, the music store opened in 1974. But in the late 1990s, the building was sold and the store had to find a new home - quickly.
''But it just wasn't going to happen,'' said owner Bonny Davis who, with her late husband John, ran the store and moved it into its current location in Miraglia's building. ''Things kept coming up and falling through. But one day, John - ever the eternal optimist - came home and said he had found the perfect space for us. He said it was perfect but he also warned me that I'd have to have vision when I walked in for the first time.''
Davis was right. Ms. Davis said the building was, at the time, ''horrendous'' and was clearly in need of a ''complete renovation.''
''It was just unbelievable,'' she said. ''The pigeons had taken up residence here and it was quite obvious. We didn't really want to purchase the entire building, but there weren't any other options. Our initial thought was to buy the building and use only the first floor.''
But fate, as it turned out, had different ideas. On the very day the Davises went to City Hall to sign the papers and officially take ownership of the building, Miraglia had shown up to express interest in purchasing the building.
''We were so relieved,'' Ms. Davis said. ''The responsibilities of owning a building - especially one in such need of repair - was just too much for us. It couldn't have worked out better, in my opinion.''
Ms. Davis and her husband spent several evenings at their kitchen table drawing up plans for their new space. Having run a music store for so many years, they each had an idea of their ''ideal'' space. And Miraglia and his architect made that happen, she said.
Now, instead of a rundown space littered with various pieces of electronic equipment, Chautauqua Music has a first-class space that not only accommodates its retail operations but also allows plenty of space for music teachers and their students.
''We were thrilled,'' she said. ''Having a music store downtown is a tradition and it's one in which Jamestown needs to take part. I love being downtown.There has been a real resurgence in music arts in the downtown and there are so many venues for music. I see a positive future not only for this building but for the entire downtown. There are a lot of people who share Pete's excitement and vision - and I think any time you gather creative people in one area, it can't be anything but positive.''
'SEE WHAT COULD BE'
Perhaps the best example of Miraglia's vision for the building is a small studio on the second floor occupied by designer Susan Caster.
A Chicago native, Caster moved to Jamestown with her husband, Trent, 15 years ago. And after the birth of their son, Jonas, in 2002, Mrs. Caster, an interior designer with a degree from Andrews University in Michigan, was ''on the lookout'' for a space downtown where she could operate a studio of her own.
''I've always wanted to be downtown,'' she said. ''There is so much potential here and the beauty of the buildings is inspiring. I could work in a room at home, of course, but I'm most inspired in this kind of an environment. I wanted to be where there's life and a sense of 'busy-ness'- somewhere full of energy. I found that downtown.''
Mrs. Caster said some spoke disparagingly of her decision to move downtown, claiming there's ''nothing in downtown Jamestown.''
''People asked me why I'd move downtown,'' she said. ''They said there's nothing here. They said a lot of things. But if everybody had that attitude, nothing would happen here. You've got to start something in order for something to happen. My little space won't be world-changing, but I hope it can inspire people to see what could be.''
That might just happen. The second floor, where Mrs. Caster's studio is, used to house Chautauqua Antiques. But aside from her studio, the 5,000-square-foot space now stands empty. Work is being done on the space, which boasts original wood floors, exposed brick and large windows. A studio at the back of the floor is flooded with natural light - ideal, Miraglia said, for a painter - and offers views of Brooklyn Square, the Fenton History Center and the foliage surrounding downtown Jamestown.
Mrs. Caster's studio is a prime example of Miraglia's vision come true. She has been working with Miraglia for about a month on the space, which she was able to move into on Oct. 4.
The walls in her studio are painted a warm salmon, which goes surprisingly well with the blue floors, green armchairs, red couch and original brick. Funky wooden racks leaning against the walls are covered with totes she has designed and created. Near her sewing machine is a large workbench where she works with wool and felt. Extra fabric and yarns bulge out of baskets on the floor. Baskets elsewhere are filled with antique buttons and skeins of vintage fabric, which she loves. One wall is dominated by a huge arched window that boasts original woodwork.
''When I first saw the space, the walls were white and it was totally bare,'' she said. ''It was the perfect canvas on which to create an inspiring space.''
Eventually, Mrs. Caster wants to start a fabric arts guild that would meet monthly at her studio.
''There's so much creativity in Jamestown,'' she said. ''Bringing all those minds together is probably the biggest opportunity this building offers. I hope others get involved with this building. It's such an amazing thing to be part of. Pete is very passionate about this project.''
THE FUTURE
Miraglia, who works full-time but plans to retire within the next year, has big plans for the building.
Himself an artist, Miraglia hopes the second floor will eventually be filled with art studios or small offices. On the third floor, which has been cleaned out and is partly under construction, he's building an apartment and studio for himself. The rest of the space, he said, will be filled with either studios and office space or with a couple of apartments. The fourth floor, which is in a state of near-total disrepair, will also house studios and offices.
''My philosophy is this: one floor at a time,'' he said. ''Little by little, this will get done.''
Miraglia's father, Rocco Miraglia, has ''helped tremendously'' with the renovation and Miraglia said the city has been ''a great help.''
''I got some loans through the Jamestown Local Development Corp. and the Jamestown Urban Renewal Agency,'' he said. ''The city has been really wonderful.''
Beyond bringing tenants into the building, Miraglia eventually wants to construct a walk-out patio over Mojo's. There's room at the back of the building, Miraglia said, for a patio on which he hopes to create a cafe atmosphere.
''The ideas never seem to stop coming,'' he said.
