Want to preserve building for public use

A local company has offered front money to buy the Florala City School while a group organizes a non-profit to raise the money for an effort to save it.

Earlier this year, the City of Florala advertised for proposals for the purchase and upgrades of two properties – the administration building of the school, located at 22975 7th Ave., and the Percy McClung National Guard Armory, located at 1308 5th Street.

It received one offer, from Sharlyn Thomas, owner of The One-Eared Rabbit, but she backed away from the project.

Jeanne-Marie Carlson had made a similar offer to buy and restore the armory building, but last month asked that her offer be applied to the school rather than the armory.

The council took no action on her offer, but split on a motion to take the property off the market.

On Monday, Councilwoman Ann Eason presented a proposal from Trebhor/Selrahc, LLC, an Alabama limited liability company with a Florala address, to purchase the building for $22,000 – a 10 percent premium over the previous proposal.

The principals of Trebor/Selrahc are Robert W. Bishop of Andalusia and Charles T. Smith of Laurel Hill.

In a letter to the council, Bishop write “Future plans are varied, and will be worked out with the Save Our School Board, which will consist of civic-minded individuals interested in the preservation and civic, cultural, and economic effect the building will have on not only Florala, but our surrounding area, county and state, as well.”

Bishop said the board will seek 501-C3 9tax exempt) status, and will seek grants available for restoration.

“The economic and jobs creation benefits of this endeavor will total millions of dollars over the next 100 year life of the school building and property.”

Mrs. Eason said she visited Andalusia last week took look at the two renovated elementary schools and is excited at the prospect of doing similar projects in Florala.

“These two gentleman were good enough to give the front money,” Easons aid. “It’s not that they want the building, they don’t. It’s just that I can’t really go do a thing at the bank called Save Our School until we know for sure it’s not going to sell.”

Mayor Robert Williams said he was “all ears” for suggestions, but suggested that the city attorney look at the proposal and make sure that since this proposal was submitted after the advertised deadline for proposals it would not cause legal problems to accept it.

The council hopes to act on the issue at its next meeting, set for May 23.