LPA Announces Spring 2026 Preservation in Progress Awards

LPA Spring Preservation in Progress awards are here! LPA is happy to shine a light on two exciting revitalizations of long-vacant downtown properties.

900 Pennsylvania Street

Charlie’s East Side

Charlie’s East Side, a small but iconic structure in East Lawrence, just across the street from the Poehler Industrial Historic District, is about to enter a brand-new chapter of life after decades of inactivity. Longtime Lawrence entrepreneur Brad Ziegler purchased this property in 2022 and after much effort—including a rezoning to light industrial so the proposed use is conforming—Brad is just now steering it back into commercial use. Owned by the Del Campo family for many years, the building had fallen victim to a zoning issue after a period of non-activity that caused the city to claim that the property had lost its “grandfathered” status. So the property sat vacant for years.

The two-story stone structure, not listed on historic registers, is likely to have been  built in the mid-1860s, and may have housed a blacksmith shop. Later used by the Del Campos—Charlie Del Campo was the proprietor—as a tavern, it was a good place to serve tacos, beer and grill fare. Brad is rehabilitating and updating the building itself, but the use and menu will be much the same. He’s also keeping the business name, and yes, the Coors sign stays too.

Working with Nineteenth Century Construction (Dan Riedemann, principal, Henry Riedemann, foreman) and architect Mike Myers of Hernly Associates, with Harvey Brothers Construction handling the mechanicals, Brad is replacing all the wiring and plumbing. The wood decks outside had met the end of their life and had to go. The original windows no longer existed, and their replacements were no longer functional, so quality new windows are now installed. Some window openings that were no longer needed are being bricked in so the historic openings remain evident from the street. 

Changes to the grade level on the north and back exposed a north foundation wall badly in need of repointing. The Riedemann crew completed this using a mortar mix that will not harm the surrounding stone. The lower grade level in the back has allowed the creation of an inviting exterior space with a nice patio that was poured to allow a zero-entry into a previously dysfunctional rear door opening. The door now provides access to accessible bathrooms for customer and staff use, as well as walk-in coolers and initial food prep area.

The interior space on the main floor will be as small as it ever was. There might be about 10 seats at the bar, and maybe space for one table. The back patio space, and a new metal deck in the front that’s being constructed by Jonah Seibel, will allow for much more seating when the weather allows.

Brad is the longtime owner of Louise’s on Massachusetts Street and the Eighth Street Taproom. He has been investing in downtown properties since he graduated from the University of Kansas in 1989. In 2019 Brad—and many of this same team of design and construction professionals—won another much-deserved PIP for their work converting an old laundromat at 9th and Mississippi into Big Mill Restaurant. To many longtime Lawrencians, the old industrial area on the east side would have never again looked the same if the little stone Del Campo building had gone away. LPA is so glad that it won’t.

Brad Ziegler

735 New Hampshire Street

Jon Davis knows what it takes to care for old buildings. He has spent the better part of two decades renovating scores of Oread neighborhood homes and operating businesses in Downtown Lawrence. He and his partners—Tom Devlin, Rob Farha and Jeff Hatfield—have undertaken a new project at 735 New Hampshire to breathe much-needed life into a historic downtown building. It is the only remaining two-story building on the west side of the 700 block of New Hampshire, and is designated as a contributing property to the Downtown Lawrence Historic District.

Constructed in 1889 by N.S. Clark, this building’s first user was the Clark Livery Feed and Sales Stables. There was a residential unit on the upper floor. Starting in 1925, and for the next 20 years, it operated as the Elks Lodge, with a pool hall on the second floor. The property has had limited use over the last several decades.

The Davis team is making a substantial investment to upgrade the building to meet modern code requirements, including all new systems and comprehensive rehabilitation. The project qualifies to use both the state and federal historic tax credit programs, which helps cover the cost of adherence to historic preservation standards while making up for years of little maintenance. The building’s front façade—which has a high degree of historic integrity—is being preserved as part of the project, including a complete restoration of the original wood windows facing New Hampshire Street. The team has found items of historical interest as well, such as original hitching rings mortared into the wall. Their goal is to have the history of the building obvious to everyone that comes through their door.

The concept for use is to have accessory event space on the main floor and to bring back the original apartment concept on the upper floor. LPA is excited to see preservation-based investment in this downtown property, and we wish the project team the best of luck.