Clarkesville Mayor Barrie Aycock and City Council members cut the ribbon on the newly rebuilt Clarkesville square.
Clarkesville dedicates rebuilt fire-damaged buildings. Unveils plaza in honor of late Mayor Terry Greene.
A large crowd braved blustery cold winds and a hint of rain in the air Thursday evening to celebrate an historic moment in Clarkesville; a moment three years in the making.
A ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony was held for the rebuilt buildings on the east side of the downtown square. The buildings burned in March 2014. One of the historic buildings ravaged by the fire was demolished. A new plaza named in honor of the late Clarkesville Mayor Terry Greene now stands in its place.
Today’s ribbon cutting and unveiling comes exactly one year to the day that the city officially launched its rebuilding project. It cost over $3M to complete with about 40% of the funding coming from grants and historic tax credits, according to Mayor Barrie Aycock.
The city owns the restored historic buildings and is now in the process of actively seeking tenants to rent them. “The city must retain ownership of the buildings for 5 years, then we can sell them, which will be our goal,” Aycock says.
Currently there are two tenants set to move into the new buildings. Your Pie Restaurant and Rahab’s Rope. They’re expected to be moved in and open by the end of April.
Below is a gallery of photos taken during today’s ceremony.
Ribbon Cutting and Dedication Ceremony for the East Clarkesville Square
Downtown Clarkesville, GA
April 6, 2017
click photos to enlarge
Unveiling of plaza in honor of the late Clarkesville Mayor Terry Greene. (photo/MB Horton)
City leaders say they were thrilled with the turnout at Thursday’s ceremony.
Mayor Barrie Aycock addresses the crowd.
Aycock says she is “thrilled” with the results of the rebuilding project.
Blustery cold winds and a hint of rain in the air didn’t deter these folks.
Local business and civic leaders joined their neighbors and friends for the unveiling and dedication.
A reflection of the crowd as seen through one of the newly rebuilt buildings windows.
The buildings were dedicated with a heartfelt prayer.
The evening ceremony lasted a little under an hour.
State Rep. Terry Rogers (R-Clarkesville) recalls the day 3 years ago when he stood in the well at the state legislature and shared the news of Clarkesville’s devastating fire.
Council member Leigh Johnston delivers a heartfelt thanks to City Manager Barbara Kesler for her hard work in overseeing the rebuilding project.
It was an emotional day for many but perhaps none more than City Manager Barbara Kesler, seen here hugging council member Tina Courson Evans.
Council prepares to cut the ribbon, ending a sad chapter in the city’s past.
Clarkesville’s former first lady, Ann Greene (3rd from left) posed with family at the plaque in honor of her late husband, Dr. Terry Greene.
The plaque honoring the late Mayor Terry Greene.
An archway bears the former mayor’s name – a reminder to all of the contributions he made during his many years in public service.
Soon these buildings will be welcoming back customers. Your Pie Restaurant and Rahab’s Rope are the first two tenants to sign lease agreements with the City of Clarkesville.
This sprinkler system represents one of the safety improvements made to help protect the rebuilt historic buildings from another catastrophic fire.
The back side of the eastern square now offers handicap access and rear-entry doors.
Inside one of the rebuilt historic buildings. Contractors say flooring from the old buildings was salvaged and incorporated in with the new floor.
Another interior view
…and another.
A view out the window and a brochure expressing precisely what city officials hope more people will do now that the downtown square project is finished: Experience Clarkesville!
