This spring, the corner of MLK and Cherry will be the home of a new daytime doggie daycare center. The vacant and slowly decaying former headquarters of The Facts newspaper is getting cleaned up and renovated to become Play Doggie Daycare, which is planning on an April opening.

“Somebody had to buy it,” said Play owner Sarah Slater of the vacant property. “I’m quite excited to put something into the neighborhood and clean up part of it.” Slater lives near the corner and has operated a dog walking business called Sniff and Scamper since 2004 (“People have probably seen my truck going around,” she said).

Slater purchased the property three days after an October fire ravaged the space. The fire was started by “improperly discarded smoking materials,” likely from a person who was squatting in one of the rooms. The person squatting even furnished the room, though much of that was destroyed in the fire. However, the structure was not seriously damaged, and Slater plans to fix the roof and repaint.

She said plans include finishing demolition of the north end of the current structure, which began in September. They will then build a barn so the dogs have both an indoor and outdoor space to run around. The remaining two rooms and a bathroom currently on the site will serve as an office and, eventually, a dog grooming service, she said.

Play Doggie Daycare posted several historical photos of the lot on their Facebook page. Here’s a trip through history as the corner begins the next phase in it’s storied history:

1937 – Gas Station

1958 – Real estate office

1962 – Burgers, fried chicken and hot dogs (“The first dogs on the property,” joked Slater)

Until recently – The Facts

The building caught fire in October – Photo by Truman Buffett

More details on the daycare from Play:

The old Facts Building site on the corner of MLK and East Cherry is to be revitalized after years of lying dormant and falling into disrepair.

Once home to the iconic Facts Newspaper, the site has now been bought by a local Central District resident and small business owner and will see improvements to the existing building as well as some new construction to provide a new neighborhood hangout for local dogs.

PLAY Doggie Daycare will be a family-run daycare providing a service to dog owners who find the demands of life and work don’t always accommodate their desire to provide the exercise and attention that they would like to shower on their dog. PDD will provide a friendly, safe, and fun environment for local dogs to socialize, exercise and generally hangout with their neighborhood buds while owners can enjoy a guilt-free workday, run errands, head out of town or just take a break from their rambunctious four-legged friend.

Professional and experienced staff will monitor doggie playtime and provide additional services such as grooming, bathing, nail clipping, pick up/drop off service as well as maintain a clean and healthy facility.

PDD anticipates opening it’s 3000+sqft indoor/outdoor facility in the new year and will provide services Mon-Fri, 7am-6:30pm.

Those who wish to make PLAY Doggie Daycare part of their extended family can find more information at www.playdoggiedaycare.com. Comments and feedback are encouraged so that the service can provide what dogs and their owners need to make life more fun and relaxed for everyone.