One of the oldest recorded properties in Newnan on Madison Street is getting a much-needed facelift! According to local legends the mixed-use property, with residential space upstairs and commercial space on the lower floor, was once used to house President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s automobile!
Often referred to as “Roosevelt’s Garage” in the past, the soon-to-be mixed-use property will house four loft apartments upstairs–two of which have been leased already–and commercial space on the street level. The property’s design offers the option of having the downstairs space leased out as a single area of 4,000 square feet or two separate spaces of 2,000 square feet each.
The long history of the property dates to the 1800s, with records showing that in 1885 the building housed a livery stable. Later records show the building being used as a grocery store, furniture store, and hot dog shop.
The new owners of the space, Josh and Robin Steed are a crafty pair, with Josh being a well-rounded builder whose wealth of experience dates back to his childhood and Robin embodying the American spirit with her desire to own properties and create new opportunities for her community. Despite all their experience in building and contracting, Josh explains that revitalizing an old building does not easily happen. Their working with the city and Main Street Newnan through Courtney Hardcourt and Hasco Craver has “made a complicated process run smoothly,” said Josh. “There is state financing available for redevelopment projects like The Livery within cities throughout Georgia. Courtney and Hasco understand the process and are so very helpful in guiding projects like ours in every way.”
The Steeds have humble hearts when thanking the city for allowing them to partner up to breathe fresh life into this once-abandoned building. “We just want to thank the City of Newnan,” Josh declares. “Newnan doesn’t realize what an advocate they have to help businesses and revitalize. We are also thankful to our local bank and the state, which has a program used to preserve downtowns.”
