More buildings coming down in downtown Dothan

Historic Preservation Commissioners discussed the effects of their actions Friday as they voted to approve the demolition of two buildings on East Main Street and the old peanut mill on Newton Street.

Based on a structural engineer’s report, the tearing down of 164 and 150 E. Main St. shouldn’t harm the shared wall with A Place to Renew at 148 E. Main, though officials said any environmental concerns over the demolition of the old mill is not within that board’s realm of responsibility.

Historic Preservation Commission member Ed Vaughn told city officials last week that the old Dothan Oil Mill Company was being torn down. Golden Peanut in Headland purchased the property in 1991. At that time, a Phase I soil survey was conducted and no toxic waste found, but Vaughn is concerned with cleanup at the site.

“I have no problem with the demolition,” Vaughn said. “My only concern is the toxic waste issue. There are two holding ponds full of something; I don’t know what it is. I want to be sure when the property is demolished, we have an approval in terms of toxicity of the site. I wouldn’t want to see toxicity exasperated by putting homes out there. I am pleased you have come before us to give us the same consideration other historical areas are given.”

The old peanut mill is in the NBCAR Historic District which takes in the neighborhoods of Newton, Burdeshaw, Cherry, Adams and Range streets.

Golden Peanut procurement manager Reed Rogers said the company was unaware they needed permission from the historic group, though they had received approval from the city.

“Our goal is to clean up the industrial property adjoining a residential neighborhood there,” Rogers said. “This is an opportunity to clean it up and maybe improve the neighborhood, and hopefully we can sell the property to somebody. No properties there have any historical significance.”

Vaughn said there could be potential problems because of the way a shelling warehouse was torn down and disposed of. Sulfur dioxide could be present, he said.

Commission member Frank Gaines then interjected, “Are we not involved in EPA requirements on this?”

“You are not,” Planning Director Todd McDonald said. “It is not your jurisdiction.”

On the East Main Street properties, commissioners agreed both buildings are in bad shape but Vaughn expressed disappointment in not being able to save them.

“Most of you know I have not been supportive of the demolitions downtown,” he said. “If it is possible to restore the old Dothan steam laundry in Dixie, anything can be restored. I would much prefer to see a property restored than torn down. I know these buildings can be very functional, but it takes a lot of money to do it. If we are going to have a viable downtown, we need restoration over demolition.”

Prior to the demolition of the buildings, it must be verified that the remaining building has a roof framing system that is properly connected to the building walls, especially the east wall. Officials believe there are two walls separating 148 and 150, because the 150 building was a fill-in, constructed after the two flanking buildings were up around 1903.

“I almost guess there are two walls there,” commission member Chuck Harris told the owner of A Place to Renew at 148 E. Main, “his wall and your wall. I almost bet there are two 9-inch walls there.”

The vacant property will be converted to private parking for downtown offices.