Renovation of the historic 450 Main Street Building is scheduled to get underway shortly. Plans include the preservation of the exterior building walls on Main and Neal Streets which were originally constructed in 1895. 

In a unique effort to focus on the historic nature of the building, the old brick from the two additions to the building, which will be torn down, will be cleaned and used to build four information kiosks in the Downtown area. 

The remaining bricks, a figure estimated at over 50,000, will be the star attraction of a fund raising event for the Downtown Association and the Amador-Livermore Valley Historical Society.

The event, entitled “A Brick in Time'', will be held on Saturday, November 17, from 7:30 am to 4 pm, in conjunction with the Downtown Association's Christmas preview. Persons wishing to own some premium used brick will be given a wheelbarrow and encouraged to cart off as many as it will hold at a cost of $50 per barrow. 

"It should be a unique event and one that will allow people to support our Downtown area, the Historical Society, and also fix up their own patio, build a wall, or insulate a hearth” said Trish Watts, spokesperson for the Downtown Association. 

Interested persons or organizations are encouraged to don their work shoes, gloves, and provide their own get-away transportation to carry off the used brick. 

In addition, each $50 purchase of a wheelbarrow full of bricks is good for 5 coupons which will go into a Downtown Association drawing to be held at 4:00 pm with a grand prize of a wood-burning stove and many, many others donated by the Downtown Merchants. Saturday, November 17, should be quite a day. 

Sente Associates, a development partnership which includes Hacienda Business Park co-developer Joe Callahan, has worked c1osely with the Downtown Association on the plans for 450 Main Street. 

"The new retail space is exactly the kind of upgrading downtown Pleasanton is looking for” said Watts. "It allows us to preserve the past and all the charm that is Pleasanton, while providing space for the goods and services that the residents of Pleasanton need today.”

The renovated 450 Main Street Building will have a brick and plaster facade that is cohesive with the original Main and Neal Street walls. In addition, the building will have a new arcade walkway for access into the shops and businesses that will be locating there.

"We’re really enthusiastic about being able to preserve a landmark building for downtown Pleasanton” stated Joe Callahan. "To bring the building back to life is a very rewarding project for us as developers as well as for the City of Pleasanton!”

To see a reproduction of the original article and edition of Pleasanton Pathways, visit: November 5, 1984 Pathways.