Houston Co. Commission unveils plan for future Farm Center renovations
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HOUSTON COUNTY, Ala. (WDHN) — Wiregrass residents got a look at the future of the Houston County Farm Center during the county’s commission meeting on Tuesday.
“Very excited to finally get started on this project,” Commission Chairman, Brandon Shoupe said. “I know a lot of people have been asking about it so people will see work this year.”
The transformation of the iconic Houston County Farm Center has been an eyesore over at least the last 50 years and is just months away from beginning renovations after the commission approved the first step of awarding the bid to local contractor Marty Robbins to replace the roof.
“The roof has received hail damage and this new one will last up to 60 years,” Architect for the Houston County Farm Center Renovation Project, Andy Gosselin said.
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Gosselin plans to breathe life back into the farm center that used to be the center for a lot of community events.
The center will keep its iconic shape but will transform into a spacious multi-purpose pavilion.
“We’re opening up the parking lot and converting that into green space and creating a park-like setting around the structure,” Gosselin said. “It’s enclosed right now, but we are going to take the exterior walls out.”
The inside will have restrooms, storage and backstage spaces, and a kitchen. While entrance of the farm center will also have a modern look.
“Any wonderful stadium or arena you go to has an entry plaza,” Gosselin said. “You have columns and beams to announce the entry and possibility of sponsorships.
The goal is to bring back community-engaging events like a farmers market, wrestling, pickleball tournaments, and more.
“I look forward to going to the first event there, but it will be at least a year or two,” Shoupe said.
Gosselin says the building construction could take place at the same time as the roof project.
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