Central State Hospital buildings eyed for renewal

Homepage

Related Photos

web break-1.jpg

Discussion

September 24, 2012

Central State Hospital buildings eyed for renewal

From staff reports The Union-Recorder The Union-Recorder Mon Sep 24, 2012, 06:23 PM EDT

MILLEDGEVILLE — A tremendous infrastructure footprint presents the Central State Hospital Local Redevelopment Authority (CSHLRA) with numerous avenues to reinvigorate old buildings.

In the board's third meeting Wednesday, Executive Director Mike Couch said finding the highest and best use for the natural pieces on campus is paramount.

The Culver Kidd building, Chapel No. 3 and the Walker Building have utilization concepts rolling.

Ideas for the Walker Building sit at the top of the list.

The E-shape Walker Building features a great exterior façade that can be preserved, which Couch said opens up several funding routes through historic preservation, economic development, education, health initiative and job skill creation dollars.

The CSHLRA gained a vital resource in citizen volunteer David Sinclair. He agreed to lend his energy and technical skills to the Walker building project.

Sinclair's involvement with his family-owned assured demolition service company in his hometown of Glasgow, Scotland gives him ample expertise. Safedem specializes in explosives and façade retention throughout the United Kingdom and worldwide.

The Walker Building was the male convalescent center opened in 1886, serving as the admission ward for white males. Through early blueprints, Sinclair said the building could be separated at the front corridor. Demolishing the back section of the E-shape would preserve the front portion.

With the demolition complete, recycling the 300,000 bricks opens up numerous options. The bricks could be used for cladding during the Walker reconstruction or laid horizontally for paving walking paths or driveways.

In addition to the Walker building movement, the Culver Kidd Building could reopen as a hospital. Georgia Department of Corrections Commissioner Brad Owens has discussed an option of making the building into a prison hospital.

The first request for property use comes from Harold Simmons, Baldwin County Board of Education District 2. Simmons wants to bring the No. 3 chapel building back to life.

The CSHLRA scheduled an open house Oct. 17 in the Powell Building's fourth floor from 3 to 5 p.m. A board meeting will follow.

Click here to subscribe to The Union-Recorder print edition. http://tinyurl.com/6qdm4oj

Click here to subscribe to The Union-Recorder e-edition and view this full article. http://unionrecorder.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx