Atlanta to build pocket park where business burned
Some space will be used for parking space as well
ATLANTA, Texas—A family store in Atlanta recently destroyed by fire is to be turned into a community park and space for additional parking to benefit downtown customer shopping.
The Woods Furniture Co. at 212 E. Hiram St. burned Nov. 5, 2014. After more than 60 years at this location, the E.B. Woods family has given the property to the city, and now officials have announced their plans for its use.
The site will be a community park and a parking area with at least 15 additional spaces for additional convenience to downtown shoppers.
The project is being directed by the Atlanta City Development Corp. and is budgeted to cost $286,430. The ACDC is funded by a one-half cent sales tax approved by voters.
The work is to be done by the low bidder, Mike Rogers Construction of Lone Star, Texas. Project engineering is being done by CLB Engineering of Texarkana, a firm that has overseen other city projects, including the Plaza Pocket Park on East Main and the recent repaving of the Atlanta Sports Complex parking lot.
“We did our due diligence in thinking about and planning this,” said Atlanta Mayor Keith Crow, who is also a member of the ACDC. “We had citizens who asked for more parking, and then we know community space, which is used and appreciated by the public, will help enliven Hiram Street
and the downtown area.”
The east side of the building space on Hiram Street will be the parking area. It is on a higher level with its concrete deck, and so will have a drivein entrance built into it from Hiram Street, as well as steps from the sidewalk.
The western side will have its old, deteriorated floor surface removed and become grass and soil and have flagstone walkways. With beautification projects to come, the park should appeal to community use, officials said.
Electric power and wi-fi connection will be available. Crow said the walls of buildings next to the space will be prepared so that movies could be projected on their surfaces.
City Manager David Cockrell has said he could expect to see a farmers market or food trucks using the area. Cockrell publicly complimented the ACDC board members led by Executive Director Miranda Johnson for their deliberations.
Mayor Crow said he hoped people would use the parking area properly.
“We have a two-hour parking limit in downtown, and we hope people will not just park here all day long. It’s for shoppers to be able to to park and walk to the business. Still, I’m glad if everyone does say we have a parking problem. Some 10 to 12 years ago, we didn’t have one in the downtown area.”
Edward Ben Woods and his wife, Helen, opened their furniture store July 4, 1963, with family members and others joining in to help its success through the years. Owner E.B. Woods said he had one secret for success. He and his employees always started each day with prayer.
“They are pillars of the community and have been for years,” Crow said.
The Woods’ two-story building fire started during the night and was fought by the Atlanta Fire Department for six hours. That effort and a firewall saved the business next door, Terrell Brothers Furniture Store.
The destruction was complete, however, and all that remained was to tear down the structure and leave the open space. Its cause was not determined.
The park project should be completed by this fall or early winter.