City to purchase Coca-Cola plant

Published 12:03 am Wednesday, January 9, 2013

The Andalusia City Council moved to preserve yet another piece of the city’s history Tuesday when it authorized Mayor Earl Johnson to proceed with the purchase of the old Coca-Cola plant building at the intersection of Church Street and Baisden Street.

Johnson said that it is his hope that the city can clean up the property and resell it.

“This is another piece of property that is available to us at a reasonable price,” he said. “We can clean the property up for less than a private enterprise because we have the equipment to do so. Our plan is to get everything salvageable out and put it on the market.”

He said he already has had conversations with potential owner or tenants for the building.

“This building has been empty for close to 20 years, and it would be great to get a business in there again,” he said.

The council’s agreed-upon offer was not disclosed, pending closing of the real estate deal.