Community reacts to proposed façade changes at Goodwill in La Mesa Village

LA MESA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — The city of La Mesa announced big changes are expected at one of its most iconic downtown buildings.

"One of the coolest buildings in La Mesa just because it kind of brings that old world, looks like something in Europe," said local business owner Ephraim Ebstein.

The Goodwill building and its iconic clock tower greet those walking or driving through the heart of the village.

"Especially with all the old car shows that go on here, the Oktoberfest, stuff like that," said Noah Whitall.

When the city of La Mesa shared renderings illustrating the upcoming upgrades to the building, the reaction was swift.

"It looks very generic, very prison-y, rectangles and squares," said John Whitall.

The city’s social media post garnered hundreds of comments that overwhel