AROUND THE AREA
Decision time draws near In answer to Future Potential Council members an Alexander are collecting City City Council ideas and appeal for ideas, for residents offered a proposals the future use variety of possible of the old City re-purposing Hall building projects for the on Main Street old city hall and in downtown Alexander City. courthouse on Main Street − or for the property if the buildings are removed from downtown. The buildings have remained empty for almost two years after city officials moved the city’s operations to the municipal building. Alexander City resident Steve Cook suggested the vacant city hall building could be better utilized as a youth center. “The building is built where a small basketball court could be installed. Computers for learning programs on architecture, construction and management. Would be great,” Cook said. Resident Brooke Davis agreed with the idea if the city could procure the funds to take on such a restoration project. “Great idea if they have the money to restore it. Our young teenagers and older ones desperately need somewhere to go hang out and be safe,” Davis said. “Tear down the raggedy courthouse and build a new one over at the sportplex. Give the area to the fire department or
use it for festival parking,” said Chris Michaels. Jackie Bennett recommended the city transform the buildings into a museum similar to Monroe County, which has made its courthouse into a gallery showcasing the lives and careers of residents Harper Lee and Truman Capote. “How about turning our old city hall into a museum highlighting the history of Lake Martin and Russell Mills, and starring Hank Williams in the old jail,” Bennett said. The city will hold more meetings in the coming weeks before making a decision on what to do. ~ William Marlow
Historic tower welcomes visitors again After 20 years of dormancy atop Weogufka State Forest’s peak, the Flagg Mountain Tower is open to the public following a series of renovations and refurbishing efforts. Flagg Mountain, known as the “jewel of Weogufka State Forest,” rests at around 1,100 feet above sea level and marks the beginning of the 335-mile Pinhoti National Recreation Trail, which stretches across northeast Alabama into Georgia. The stone-built fire tower, once used as a lookout to search for wildfires over the Appalachians, was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, a voluntary government work relief program for unemployed, unmarried men in their late teens to late 20s. The program was cut during
the mid 1940s due to WWII. The tower and Flagg Mountain facilities fell into disrepair. With new stairs and a new revitalized life as a tourist attraction, the tower hosted Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey at its reopening ceremony last month. “It was a pleasure to visit Coosa County today to officially reopen the Flagg Mountain Tower,” tweeted Ivey. “Built in the ’30s, this tower is a symbol of Alabama’s history, her rich natural resources and her strength. This is just the beginning. We look forward to building a welcome center and more amenities. We want to welcome walkers and hikers of all abilities to the longest trail in Alabama.” ~ Larry Robinson
After 20 Years of Silent Waiting
The Flagg Mountain Tower reopened last month, with Gov. Kay Ivey as its first official visitor.
Lake Martin Living 9
