The subject property includes an approximately 0.144-acre lot in a generally rectangular shape that is bounded by South Riverside Street to the east and Coleman Avenue to the north in the city of West Monroe, Louisiana. Improvements to the site include a two-story structure with a residential living area on the second floor, former retail and office area on the northern portion of the ground floor and former storage area on the south end of the ground floor. The property also includes a paved areas to the north and west of the main structure. The site has formerly operated as a beauty salon, café, office area, residence, service station, and grocery store. The earliest available record of the subject property dates back to the 1913 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map that illustrates the site as part of a larger parcel that includes JE Morgan and Bros. Concrete Buildings, Blocks and Bricks. The 1913 Sanborn Map illustrates the subject property without any structure within the indicated boundary. The 1920 Sanborn Map illustrates the site with a grocery store and residence. The Sanborn Maps from 1926 to 1950 illustrate the subject property with a residence, gas station, store, automotive repair facility, and garage. The 1956 aerial photograph and 1966 Sanborn Map shows the current structure on the subject property. According to available records the structure was used for boat sales, auto parts sales, as a café, for office area and as a beauty salon. Mr. Varino stated that the structure was last used commercially around 1980 and has been vacant since the café left. The building was razed since the Phase I ESA was conducted.
