The work being done on the exterior of the old beauty college building in downtown Aberdeen is for the removal of the facade, according to city permit coordinator Renee Reynolds.

“The permit that was pulled for the facade was purchased because the city required the work be done for safety of the public,” said Reynolds. “There are no other plans after the repair of the facade that the city is aware of.”

The facade of the building, located at 204 E. Wishkah St., had fallen into disrepair and chunks of it had been falling to the sidewalk below. Western Washington Construction in Aberdeen was issued a commercial building demolition permit Jan. 25 and is demolishing the facade.

The 9,648 square foot commercial building sits adjacent to the Becker Building and was built in 1923. It housed the Grays Harbor Beauty College until it moved to its new location just across the street at 215 E. Wishkah St. in late 2017. According to the Grays Harbor County Assessor’s Office, the land is valued at $70,200, the building $173,455; the 2018 total market value is $243,655.

The building has changed hands a few times since 2003, and was sold to the current co-owner in 2006 for $250,000. That owner added a partner to the building in late December 2017. Calls to the owners, with an address in Vancouver, regarding the building’s potential future were not returned.