Alliance to redo building's exterior on East End

The Charleston Area Alliance has spent more than $1 million renovating the inside of its offices on Smith Street on Charleston’s East End.

Now, leaders of the Kanawha Valley economic development group want to spruce up the outside of the building.

Alliance Chairman Jack Rossi announced the start of a campaign to raise $350,000 for the renovations, which would include painting, roof work and turning a loading dock area into a new entrance.

“It would do worlds for the East End of Charleston, if we could accomplish that,” Rossi said during a meeting Monday.

In addition to the Alliance’s offices, the building also serves as a “business incubator” for several small companies.