FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Joel T. Duke, or 334-595-0501

October 2, 2013

 

Anchoring the western end of downtown Prattville, the timber and brick structures built by city founder Daniel Pratt represent the unique industrial history of Alabama and the southeastern United States. Built between 1843 and 1912, the five historic structures on the banks of Autauga Creek stand as a monument to Pratt's skill as an architect, industrialist and innovator. As Richard O'Connor with the U. S. National Park Service recently noted in a letter to the Alabama Historical Commission, "Pratt was an early 19th Century industrialist of local, state and national significance whose lifelong involvement with Alabama industries heavily shaped both the state's industrial character and its key industries. His direct legacy and influence extend to the coal and iron industries of the Birmingham region, anchoring the South's most important industrial region, but it was the long-term success of the factory at Prattville that made it possible. Preserving that block of sound structures should be a priority."

Until closing its doors in December 2011, the successor to the Daniel Pratt Gin Company, Continental Eagle Corporation, continued to produce cotton gins on the site. Since the close of operations at the site, the Historic Prattville Redevelopment Authority (HPRA) has been assisting the Continental Eagle Corporation with conversion of the site for uses that enhance the economic vitality of the historic district and preserve and protect the unique structures. Chartered by the Prattville City Council in 1988, HPRA has played a major role in past and ongoing projects in the Prattville historic downtown. The HPRA's efforts to facilitate the adaptive reuse of the Continental Eagle site are consistent with its mission to provide technical and financial assistance with revitalization of the downtown.

As a part of its overall efforts to preserve the site's historic structures until they can be acquired for redevelopment, the HPRA has determined that emergency repairs are necessary to protect the structure referred to as the "1854 Building". The emergency repairs will replace a severely deteriorated beam on the far western end of the building. Safe execution of this repair will require removal and replacement of the supported roof sections. The proposed work has been reviewed and approved by the Prattville Historic Preservation Commission and the Alabama Historical Commission. The proposed project will be the subject of a HPRA public hearing and meeting on October 7, 2013. The meeting is scheduled for 4:00 pm at the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Questions regarding the repair project may be directed to Tom Newton, HPRA Chairman at or to Joel Duke, City Planner at 334-595-0501 or .

HISTORIC PRATTVILLE REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
101 West Main Street ■ Prattville, Alabama 36067 ■ 334-595-0501