Astoria's J. C. Penney department store downtown plans to upgrade its building in time for the Astoria Bicentennial in 2011.
The city's Historic Landmarks Commission will consider an exterior alteration request from Astoria contractor Larry Helligso Construction Co. to do work on the south side of the building, which has an entrance on Duane Street. The department store is designated as historic.
Bob Steuben, corporate facilities manager for J. C. Penney Company, Inc., said work could begin this spring, pending city approval at a commission meeting Jan. 20.
Ryan Helligso of Helligso Construction said planned exterior upgrades would include plaster repairs and window replacement. Tentative plans could include later upgrades to the interior of the store.
Steuben said J. C. Penney is not looking to relocate the store, which has been situated in downtown Astoria for decades.
"The store has a good track record," he said. "We have no plans to do anything with the store except upgrades."
He said the cost of the requested exterior upgrades is projected at around $50,000.
- Joanne Rideout