At its monthly meeting, the Shepherdstown Town Council met and voted to approve a request to begin working on the Mecklenburg “Tobacco” Warehouse and also voted to forgive a $195,000 loan for Historic Shepherdstown’s recent renovations to the Entler Hotel and Museum.

In the meeting Tuesday evening, council members, heard a request from the Friends of the Shepherdstown Riverfront (FOSR) for authorization of four projects associated with the renovation of the historic warehouse.

According to the written request submitted, FOSR hopes to: reopen a ground floor doorway and install a secure exterior door, dispose of loose pipe filling and steel in the building, remove dirt and general debris on the ground level concrete floor and remove a small portion of the remaining second floor decking on two sides of the steel and the concrete water tanks.

The $400 project will be paid by funds already collected by the group.

Shepherdstown’s Historic Landmarks Committee recommended approval of the request at their meeting Monday, Feb. 13.

Mayor Auxer, who once called the Mecklenburg Warehouse the “crown jewel” of the riverfront, said the project would mark the beginning of long considered plans to renovate the site for use.

“We’ve got to get started sometime. And they’re making the initial step,” he said.

The council unanimously voted to approve the request.

Historic Shepherdstown, who’ve been busy with their own set of renovations, visited town council to seek forgiveness of a loan granted for improvements to the Entler Hotel.

Vicki Smith, board president of the commission, expressed appreciation for the town’s help.

“We already need to thank the town because the building is sound,” she said.

Upon council member Dave Springer’s inquiry, Smith explained what role the commission plays in contributing to the historic preservation of the town.

“The museum is our biggest ongoing role,” she said.

Though Smith also pointed to things such as the museum’s speaker series, walking tours and history workshops as other examples of work being done by the commission to foster interest in Shepherdstown’s historic preservation.

The council unanimously voted to approve the request.

The next town council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 13 at Town Hall.