Owner of historic Masonic Temple hires engineering firm

Watertown (Nathan Lehman WTNY) -- The owner of the Masonic Temple in Watertown is getting pressure from city officials to fix up part of the historic building.

Exterior pieces of the century old building have been falling off for some time, leading to the outside of the building being blocked off by fencing.  Owner Garret McCarthy told the Watertown City Council Monday night that an engineering firm he hired toured the building earlier in the day, and expects to hear from them in the next few weeks.

The City Engineer recently recommended that the Masonic Temple be condemned.

McCarthy bought the building earlier this year and hopes to turn it into a theater and arts complex.