But he made the move in 2011, investing in a building at the corner of Central Avenue and 10th Street. That building is about to get a dramatic exterior makeover as part of a grant-funded project that is sprucing up several downtown buildings.

”I’m excited, man,” Gilbert said recently.

He said he views the downtown project as another part of what he describes as the considerable transformation Fort Dodge has experienced in the last five to eight years.

”I really see just nothing but positive coming out of this,” he said.

-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
This stained glass window above the door at Little Joe’s Computers at 1000 Central Ave. will remain in place as the exterior of the building is refurbished.

The downtown revitalization project is made possible by a $500,000 grant awarded by the Iowa Economic Development Authority last year.

That grant will cover 50 percent of the total project costs. The city government is covering 25 percent of the total project costs through tax increment financing while property owners like Gilbert are paying the remaining 25 percent.

The first work on the project began earlier this month on a building at Central Avenue and 11th Street, where Harty’s Caddy Shack Cafe is located.

Gilbert’s building was constructed in 1912 and actually has three addresses. His business, Little Joe’s Computers, is at 1000 Central Ave. Decades ago, that spot was occupied by Cy’s Restaurant. Immediately east of the computer shop at 1006 Central Ave., is space formerly occupied by Sudden Service Cafe and Messerly Electronics. Behind the computer shop to the north is space at 11 N. 10th St. that was once the location of JJ’s Downtown Barber Shop.

Crews have started working on the brick wall on the west side of the building. Gilbert said all the bad and cracked mortar between the bricks is being replaced. He said the workers will also ”spruce up” the bricks.

-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
The former JJ’s Downtown Barber Shop will look considerably different after a facade renovation project is completed this year.

All the windows and doors that need to be replaced will be replaced, he added.

New, large windows and a set of double doors will be installed at the former Sudden Service Cafe/Messerly Electronics space.

The former barber shop space on the North 10th Street side of the building will look ‘considerably different,” Gilbert said. The tan-colored paneling that now covers the front of the building there will be replaced.

The project is to be done by the end of the year.

”This whole corner is going to look very, very good,” Gilbert said.

- Messenger photo by Bill Shea
New windows and a set of double doors will be installed at this property at 1006 Central Ave. as part of a grant-funded facade project. The Sudden Service Cafe and Messerly Electronics once occupied this site.

The work is being done by Cornerstone Commercial Contractors Inc., of Corning. The City Council hired that company last month to do the entire downtown project at a cost of $867,500.

Other buildings to be worked on are at 15 N. 10th St. (Brass Monkey Lounge), 1018 Central Ave., 1020 Central Ave. (Sew Formal), 16 N. 11th St. (Fireside Lounge), 1104 Central Ave. and 1108 Central Ave. (Mary Kay’s Gifts and Home Decor).