The old Jackson Theater built in 1926 in downtown Flomaton which later became the Flomaton Antique Auction will soon be owned by the town of Flomaton after the town council voted 4-1 with one abstention to take the building as a gift from Escambia County Bank.
John Sansom approached the town council Monday night and requested the council agree to the bank's offer to give the building to the town.
Sansom said a committee needed to be formed to discuss ways to raise money to refurbish the building that he hopes would be utilized for community events, such as concerts, banquets, a dinner theater and could also be used for storage for the town.
He said the building has no lead paint or asbestos issues, noting it had a few leaks and a few broken windows but otherwise was in good condition.
“I'd like to see us take the building,” Sansom told the council.
He said it was the main historical building left in Flomaton and he would like to see it preserved.
Sansom said he had no idea how much money it would take to renovate the building, but recommended the council appoint a committee to study options. He said currently the only cost to the town would be about $1,000 per year for insurance.
“In five years if the town didn't want it it could sell it for less than it had in it,” Sansom said. “We gave the old depot away because of squabbling on the council and with citizens, I'd like to not let this go away.”
Councilman Buster Crapps said the town had messed up with every building it had purchased and paid a big price. He said he would like to have a survey to see what the cost would be to renovate the building before any decision would be made.
“We're just not good at real estate,” Crapps said. “I'm not going to vote for something I don't know how much it will cost. That thing's been there a thousand years, there's no hurry.”
Sansom told the council the town was on a time frame because the bank wanted to get rid of the building.
Sansom said he and Wanda Vandlandingham had talked about the project and possible ways to raise money, but said they couldn't move forward unless they knew the town would take the building.
“We can't let this go by,” Sansom said.
“Yes, we can if we can't afford it,” Crapps said. “I'm not signing a blank check to nobody.”
Crapps did say if he could get some facts and figures, he'd be for the project.
Vanlandingham said she understood Crapps' concerns, but said she's talked to other small towns and through historical societies and other avenues the revenue could be raised.
“There are many avenues to use that building,” Vanlandingham said. “To get it at no cost, with minimal cost to the town, it's a deal.”
Councilwoman Lillian Dean questioned if the bank gave the town the building, would there be a time frame for the town to begin working on the project.
Sansom said “no” noting Bank President Jim McCutchin said if he knows the town will take the building it will be held for the town.
Town Attorney Chuck Johns said the council needed a professional lead and asbestos study and agreed a committee needed to study the proposal.
“The town needs to look,” Dean said. “We want the building. We need to form a committee.”
Councilman Roger Adkinson said the town was being presented an opportunity of having an historical building donated to it, free of charge, and should accept the offer.
Adkinson said the town is under no obligation other than paying the insurance and before it spends any money on the building, it should be studied.
He said if the town doesn't take the building the bank will be auctioning it off in a few weeks.
“We need to vote on this tonight,” Adkinson said. “The depot is a black mark on our city founders. Somebody on this table voted to let it be torn down. I make a motion to accept the building.”
Dean issued the second.
“The problem I have is it's been sitting there for a while and all of a sudden it's got to be done now,” Crapps said.
Mayor Dewey Bondurant Jr., said he'd hate to see the town lose the building.
The council then voted 4-1-1 to accept the old theater from the bank. Adkinson, Bondurant, Dean and Charlie Reardon voted yes. Councilman Crapps voted no and councilman Jim Johnson abstained.
