Be kind to the ol' gal. She's got some stories to tell.

Yesterday (Monday), the city approved John Mogensen's plan for the seemingly-cursed-to-never-be-renovated-not-ever 2 S. Barstow. This is one of the last hurdles before Mogensen can actually buy the building for a whopping $5. I feel it’s now safe to divulge the news that I was prepared to offer the city $5.75 for the property – so I could finally open the downtown Battle Star Galactica memorabilia/donut shop of which I’ve always dreamed. But when I found out Mogensen must agree to complete $800,000 worth of improvements, I withdrew the offer. Anyway, from the L-T ...

Mogensen plans to turn the vacant building ... into eight one-bedroom apartments on the upper floors and a 3,000-square-foot retail space on the first floor ...

After the meeting, Mogensen said he would like to complete renovation of building within a year. He plans to add new windows and gut the interior, including updating plumbing and electricity, adding a sprinkler system and installing an elevator.

By selling, the city will get the tax money on the renovated building and it "will not be an eyesore anymore," Mogensen said.

Leader-Telegram, 3-14-11

So in a year, downtown Eau Claire should be the recipient of another shot of mixed usefulness.