Drivers traveling east along Cranberry Highway toward Route 6 will notice one less eyesore.

The formerly red building located at 2783 Cranberry Highway has gotten rid of its big red "X" -- the symbol used by firefighters to warn them of dangers inside the building.

The "X" is gone because property owner Aaron Gomes has completely revamped the previously unsafe structure.

When Gomes bought the property, it "was dilapidated, and filled with trash," he said. He cleaned it up and began to use the building to store his company's materials, but "they put the red 'X' on there not too long after I bought it," he said.

Those "X's" are there to warn firefighters of hazards in the building, said Wareham Fire Department Assistant Chief Richard Sleightholm. A hazard could be anything from missing stairs to some other structural damage that could present a danger to firefighters entering the building in the event of an emergency.

"The building was of concern for us at the time," said Sleightholm, noting that the building presented a risk to firefighters because of damage to its roof and rafters. "It's all for the firefighters' safety."

Sleightholm said that the Fire Department determines the buildings on which to put the big red "X" in conjunction with the town's Inspectional Services Department.

Last year, Gomes decided that he would kick his renovations into overdrive.

Gomes started installing new siding, new roofs, and new windows, and soon, he had fixed the property enough that Wareham Fire removed the big red "X" stamped prominently near the front door of the building.

"He fixed it up. I give him a lot of credit, I really do, said Sleightholm. "That was one that turned out to be a real asset to the community."

The building consists of three parts that extend from Cranberry Highway. Gomes installed the new siding and roof on the front and middle parts of the building. He also installed a large shed in the back, separate from the building, where he now keeps his construction materials.

The front part, which used to house his materials, is going to be leased to a business, Gomes said. Gomes will use the middle portion of the building for his company, and the back room is currently being renovated into living quarters that Gomes said he hopes to rent out.

So far, the reaction from other members of the community has been nothing but positive.

"Everywhere I go, everybody says how good it looks, and I feel like it's given the area a face-lift," said Gomes. "I feel like it brings a bit more comfort to the area, it makes it a little more desirable."

It is also the type of improvement that the town's Inspectional Services Department likes to see.

"He came in voluntarily," said Director of Inspectional Services Myles Burke. "He was good about stepping up and doing the right thing, and we appreciate his effort over there."

Sleightholm echoed that sentiment, and noted that Gomes was not the only success story.

"We’ve had a few [property owners] who have fixed the deficiency, and the 'Xs' have been removed," said Sleightholm. "In some cases, the buildings are deteriorated. … On the other hand, in some cases, people have bought these properties to fix them up and they're beautiful places."

The goal of getting rid of the "X" has been achieved, but Gomes is hoping the impact of rehabilitating the property will extend past his building.

"Hopefully it will bring business to the area," he said, adding that he thinks "there's going to be a lot of change" in his section of Cranberry Highway.