Historic Downtown Building To Be Auctioned

Posted by Publisher on

Fairhope, Alabama 

Update: The subsequently building sold for $1.6 million.

Update: '301 Fairhope Llc' is the current owner. Bidding starts at $950K.


301 Fairhope Avenue

FUTURE UNCERTAIN

Signs went up in the windows of the former Fairhope Hardware store at 301 Fairhope Avenue this week advertising an auction of the 100+ year old building from March 25 - 29. 

A 2019 plan by previous owners for restoration approved the the city's planning commission never came to fruition (click). 

Although within the Downtown Historic District, the city currently has no official historic preservation program under state law to encourage preservation; the mayor and historic preservation committee members are planning a renewed effort to that end in coming weeks. Corey Martin is the only council member to voice support so far.

SVN Auctions of Kenner LA. is handling the online auction (click).  No minimum bid is mentioned.






Comments

Anonymous said…
What a joke , a four day auction . The city should bid .
Friday, February 17, 2023
Anonymous said…
Lets just bulldoze the town and start over. The thousands of Realtors here would like that.
Friday, February 17, 2023
Anonymous said…
It appears that the old hardware store is probably a teardown. Two different groups, at least, have explored renovation and I read somewhere that it may not be feasible to do so.
Friday, February 17, 2023
Anonymous said…
The Single Tax Corporation ought to be encouraging preservation rather than demolition as they do now.
Friday, February 17, 2023
Anonymous said…
The cost of preserving that building is apparently far higher than the building would be worth afterward.
I know that Rebecca Bryant has worked with owners/potential investors to renovate. I didn't hear it from her, but I did read someplace that the costs outweigh the final result. Hopefully, new owners will be able to build something great within that footprint.
Friday, February 17, 2023
Anonymous said…
Maybe we need more City Council Members like Corey Martin. One comment says Fairhope Single Tax encourages demolition. Wondering if President of Fairhope Single Tax sitting on one of the City Boards and some of his friends also on boards has anything to do with the demolition ??
Saturday, February 18, 2023
Anonymous said…
It’s easy to speak out against demolition when you’re not the one who owns the property. Whatever’s feasible will happen. That’s the owners choice. If you don’t like it, but the building and see how you feel about holding on to it.
Saturday, February 18, 2023
Letty Oratowski said…
The city should buy the property and demolish the building, then create a multi-use park. Remember the plan that was put forth about creating an Arts Alley just behind the old hardware store? This would be a perfect opportunity to expand on that.
Sunday, February 26, 2023
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