TAKE ACTION by filling out the online petition.
Q) Why should I care?
A) This town needs something good to happen that people can rally around, and regain pride in Anniston. It is a historic landmark, that cannot be replaced. We have removed so much of Anniston’s historic landmarks already, and this cornerstone building is one of the oldest buildings in town. As the “Gateway to Anniston,” this building represents what Anniston could be. It represents hope for the future. Making sure it is protected is a statement of making sure Anniston is protecting it’s heritage.
Q) Why is it going to be torn down?
A) Rightly or wrongly, city officials are worried about the risk of the building collapsing, or otherwise harming passers-by.
Q) What is this petition for?
A) The petition is to request the Council to take a reasonable look at the possibility of stabilizing the ALCB prior to making a decision for it’s future. We have a $100k bid from a contractor for stabilization, with other experts saying it could cost $200k to $300k. The minimum cost to demolish the building is $60k to $200k depending on which city official you ask. Since we’re looking at potentially the same amount of money either way, preserving this landmark and protecting an asset that could be used for productive purpose later should be the best decision.
Q) What is the Anniston Land Company Building?
A) The ALCB is the building across from Zinn park. It’s a 3 story stone and brick building. It was the building built literally by the originating company that founded Anniston, and was used as a showcase of Anniston’s potential. People would come into the train station, stay at the Anniston Inn (burned down), and do their business and buy their property at the Anniston Land Company building. It is one of the oldest buildings in town, has a beautiful remaining exterior façade. The new Justice Center is being built in the same city square, so the ALCB will be placed in a highly desirable location to conduct business downtown.
Q) What future use could the ALCB have?
A) It’s the only building that would share the front-entrance area to the Justice Center. Some ideas that have been floated around are: civil rights museum, environmental sciences museum, vocational educational facility, general office space, etc.
Q) Wouldn’t it cost too much to restore it?
A) No one is asking the city to restore the building right now. What we’re asking is for the City to take a reasonable look at stabilizing the exterior, doing only the minimum required to maintain the structural integrity of the facade. This will provide time for a use to be determined. This strategy has been used all over the country to preserve historical treasures, and provide municipalities assets they can market to potential new business developers. What would likely happen is the interior of the building would be gutted and replaced with a modern steel structure, keeping the historic facade intact.