The second floor on Gaslight Square's facade at 500 Monroe Turnpike used to jut over the first floor like a cake turned upside down and the aluminum windows were not energy efficient, so the owner undertook a project to give the building a face-lift last year. Now the building is squared off with light brown "khaki" colored shingles, decorative gaslights are painted black and the trim around the windows are off-white.
The building also has new insulated vinyl windows.
All of these upgrades have not gone unnoticed. On Thursday night, the Monroe Economic Development Commission presented its 2012 EDC Beautification Award to Tartaglia Commercial Properties at its annual Monroe Means Business event.
Roberto Perez, vice chairman of the EDC, presented the award to building owners Massimo Colandras and Remo Tartaglia, architect Russell Larrabee and Tartaglia's sisters Isabel and Lorraine.
"At the beginning of the year we wanted to recognize a business who improved their existing property," Perez said. "We really want to acknowledge them for improving the look of our town."
Perez has gotten to know members of the Tartaglia family and he said the fact that they own other properties in town shows a commitment to Monroe.
After accepting the plaque, Remo Tartaglia said, "I think it came out great going through the ARB and all of the channels and it's great to receive the award. We're happy to make a positive change in the community."
