Warren Rural Electric Cooperative Corp. is undertaking a $600,000 remodeling at its headquarters at 951 Fairview Ave.

Rick Carroll, senior director of communications and legislative affairs for WRECC, said the utility’s current headquarters was constructed in 1996. 

“This is the first remodel in 20 years,” Carroll said in an email.

He explained that each year, WRECC adds 800 to 1,000 new members.

The majority of those new members are in Warren County, Carroll said.

“In order to improve the efficiency of staff in dealing with a growing membership and the general public, a remodel was necessary,” he said.

The renovations will also help increase workplace safety for employees, members and those visiting the corporate office, Carroll said.

The 8,700 square feet of remodeling will include additional meeting space on the second floor.

“Some furnishings that are nearly 20 years old will also be updated,” Carroll said.

The lobby will remain open until late May or early June when remodeling will begin in that space.

In other building permit news, a permit for construction totaling $425,000 has been taken out for a 5,116-square-foot project in Stadium Park Plaza across from Bowling Green Ballpark.

The space will contain a Starbucks and a gallery and store operated by Western Kentucky University.

Meanwhile, a permit has been approved for the site of the old Smokey Bones Restaurant at 2450 Scottsville Road. The restaurant burned last year and was demolished. Discarded smoking materials were the probable cause of the blaze that originated in mulch at the rear of the restaurant and extended into a void space in the wall of the building.

A permit for $1.5 million, with the name listed as Smokey Bones, was approved last week for the site but has not yet been picked up by the company.

— Follow business reporter Charles A. Mason @BGDNbusiness or visit bgdailynews.com.