Two buildings with a long history in Rockdale will be getting all dressed up in time for the new look that the Texas Department of Transportation is giving some downtown blocks of US 79.
At the Oct. 26 meeting of the Municipal Development District, Keith Hagler, the buildings’ owner, was awarded a grant to help pay for improvements he plans for them.
Hagler Investments of Taylor has owned the buildings with the addresses of 212, 214, 216 East Cameron Ave. in Rockdale since 2001, he said.
“The buildings were purchased from the Red Hogan Estate. When purchased, the roof was replaced,” Hagler said in an email to The Rockdale Reporter.
The buildings once housed Gaith er Motor Company. According to documentation, when William Gaither sold the dealership in 1953 to his son-in-law Hogan, it was the oldest Ford dealership in Texas.
“Thanks to the Rockdale Municipal Development District grant we will be painting and repairing the exterior of the building. The new paint colors will be different from what they currently are. Yes, the new colors will distinguish that there are two buildings,” Hagler said of his property that currently houses three businesses,.Extreme Fit and Hit Gym, L&L Food Salvage and Contes Auto.
The estimate from Friendship Painting in Rockdale for the work was around $27,500 and the grant from the MDD will cover around half of that total. A date for the start of the work has not been set.
The Rockdale Downtown Association played a role in Hagler getting the grant.
Gary Greisbach, a member of the association, got in touch with Hagler earlier this year, before COVID-19 wreaked havoc, about the possibility of sprucing up the buildings.
“Kara Clore (former MDD executive director) gave me his contact information and I called him, and he met with me,” said Greisbach, who was on the original MDD board. “As a member of the Rockdale Downtown Association, my real passion has been on the appearance of downtown.”
“The Rockdale community is improving their downtown and I want to be a part of it,” Hagler said. “These improvements will enhance downtown by refreshing it and beginning this new chapter of downtown Rockdale. These are two of the larger buildings in downtown so by improving them, the redone downtown will stand out.”
Greisbach agreed that the new look to the buildings will be a welcome change. Greisbach, who has lived in Rockdale for about 50 years, said his job with Alcoa allowed him to travel extensively.
“I have traveled all over the world. I have seen some wonderful things and I say to myself, ‘Why can’t Rockdale do that?’ Of course, money is always an issue,” Greisbach said. “I am hoping with Keith’s getting the grant, others will come forward. Rockdale wins the better downtown looks.” ple
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.