The preconstruction demolition phase of Vision Historic Preservation Foundation’s restoration of the 1895 Rockdale City Hall began April 19 with the removal of interior non-load-bearing walls. The foundation purchased the historic building from the city of Rockdale in November 2020, with plans to restore and create a new purpose for the building. Honoring its historic significance, the building has been dubbed The 1895.
“This is an important first step toward our renovation and restoration project,” said Collier Perry, the foundation chairman. “By opening up the space and stripping the building back down to its original masonry walls, it will allow us, and prospective tenants, to re-envision The 1895’s potential.”
The old City Hall is at 140 W. Cameron Ave. in downtown Rockdale and has been vacant since the Rockdale Police Department relocated to their new station on April 17, 2019. The building served many functions over the past 125 years, including municipal roles such as the town hall, municipal court, water department, fire station, police station and jail. It was even the city’s first library. Rockdale Chamber of Commerce once had an office in it and many community events, such as commencement ceremonies, basketball tournaments and social club meetings, were held in the now missing Opera House which once existed in the rear portion of the second story.
Vision Historic Preservation Foundation has commissioned Rockdale-based D&C Construction to handle the demolition project. D&C Construction has donated back $6,000 as an in-kind donation to the foundation. Waste Connections has also provided an in-kind donation of 4 roll-off dumpster loads for demolition debris, valued at nearly $1,900.
“We are very thankful for these in-kind donations as the nonprofit is still in our start-up phase,” said Curah Beard, Foundation Campaign Manager and Executive Director. “There is much preparation in the works before we kick off our Fundraising Efforts and Capital Campaign later this year.”
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