This year, spring brings the beginning of a new look in Irwin.

The building at 200 Second Street in downtown Irwin has a brand new facade, courtesy of the Irwin Main Street program.

As part of their project to re-vitalize the downtown shopping and business district, program organizers awarded building owners Brett and Christine Fulton a $5,000 grant for the work.

Work on the property, which the Fultons hope to turn into office space, started in October not long after they bought the building.

Brett Fulton was one of the first people to apply for a grant, which required an application before a committee of residents.

Donn Henderson, Irwin Main Street manager, said proposed facades have to meet guidelines developed by the program's design committee. The goal is to create a uniform look that evokes the feel of the early 1900s.

"That was when the heart of the business district was developed," said Henderson.

Brett Fulton said he developed his own style within the guidelines. He looked at pictures from design and architecture magazines and historic streetscapes to find inspiration for his design.

Although the building previously had a cut-stone front, Fulton said he decided to use brick in the new facade to blend in with the majority of local buildings.

"I wanted to sort of match the surroundings," he said.

Fulton, who works as a contactor, said he was able to do some of the work in his free time, and he hired sub-contractors to take care of the rest. He said the final result was worth the effort and time he spent.

"It really worked out well," he said. "I just figured I wanted to do it right."

In addition to the work funded by the Main Street grant, Fulton also renovated the building's interior, making the space more energy efficient and installing the phone, Internet and electrical connections a modern office would need.

"It's ready for everything. I've done everything I can do," said Fulton. While he has not had any definite offers, he said there has been some interest in the two office suites in the building.

Fulton praised Henderson and the Main Street program for the support they provided and said working with them was easy and productive.

"They were really, really, nice. It was a pleasure," he said.

The Main Street program's facade grants are part of a larger plan to upgrade downtown's appearance. Henderson said the program will soon start on its Streetscape project, which will complement the facades by focusing on street lighting and sidewalks.

"When we do the Streetscape, we will be implementing the same strategy," he said. "This is sort of the front end of getting ready for the streetscape."

Henderson said facade work is taking place at Killybeg's on Third Street and is planned across the street from the old Lamp Theater, at the building that houses Michelle's Boutique and other businesses.

Ultimately, Main Street program participants hope to transform the look of the downtown business district, and in doing so attract new people there to shop and dine. Fulton said he is glad to be a part of that process, and looks forward to its completion.

"I think it's a super program," he said. "We need something to get people coming back into downtown Irwin."