Echelon Development Group, founded by Alan Clingan and Jeff Noffsinger, hate to see a good thing go to waste.

Since October 2003, renovations headed by the group have saved the old 132 year-old "Odd Fellows building," on the corner of Market and Buffalo streets, from potential demolition. Echelon now plans to create apartments and "unique rental spaces" on the second and third floors, while leasing the street level to local businesses The Shuttle Shop, Simple Setting and the Solis Company.

"Our interest in the building was to save it from demolition," Noffsinger said. "People were saying it was a dinosaur on the chopping block and that it had no useful life left. We know that's not true."

Prior to 1849, the location was occupied by the Sons of Temperance, an English-based society that abstained from alcohol. The Odd Fellows, another social order with English origins, purchased the building in 1849 and used it for meetings and order gatherings.

A fire in 1871 completely destroyed the building and the society rebuilt the now existing structure in 1873. Just three years later in 1876, fire broke out again inside; however, this time the building was rescued before it was ruined.

After the Odd Fellows left the building it had numerous uses, including the location of an art gallery, screenwriter quarters and various office spaces.

Now Noffsinger and Clingan own the property, and work alongside CLF Development to restore the upper levels.

The initial phase of the project involved cleaning the upper floors so construction crews could work from the inside. Once workers removed a sizable amount of waste material, Echelon and CLF focused on establishing two apartments with the space provided on the second floor. Finishing touches are scheduled to take place within a month, and the groups predict renters, who have secured both apartment units, can move into the building in August.

"Our initial goal was to get the first floor leased out, then work our way up," Noffsinger said. "Once these apartments are in place, we'll begin another big project of converting the third floor into one or more living quarters."

The third floor, the highest level in the building, consists of one large room once used by the Odd Fellows association as a lounge for its members. During its time under the association, a stage ran along the north end with a throne in its center. Murals of the Odd Fellows history decorated the ceiling, and have since been covered with a tin surface.

Echelon plans to advertise the floor as "raw space" and are willing to work with any interested individual to meet their needs and ideas. Noffsinger mentioned two possible loft-oriented apartments with rooftop access; however no final decision has been made.

Clingan appeared pleased with the progress of the project and the productivity of its workers.

"We've reached a point where Echelon and CLF operate as one unit," Clingan said. "This is all about cooperation and vision, and it's fortunate to have had adaptive ideas and understanding of what the desired final product would look like."

Once the groups renovate the entire building, Noffsinger and Clingan plan to continue improving the downtown Warsaw area.

"We're going to keep on going. Jeff and I have a passion with what we do and a passion for the area," Clingan said. "We really think we're doing the right thing."

Those interested in seeing the building or with ideas for future renovations can contact Clingan at 574-269-3961. [[In-content Ad]]