A dream takes shape

Photo by Ross Lilly, Reporter

MAKING PROGRESS: Although this winter’s cold weather has hampered the development of the outside of the building, the inside of the Teen Center and Public Health building is taking shape and should be fully occupied sometime in April.

After walking through the Teen Center and Public Health building recently, City of Anderson Building Official John Stover was impressed with the work to date and believes the building is going to be a showpiece for the City of Anderson for years to come.

In his progress report regarding different projects in the City of Anderson, Stover noted that lath and paper have been set on the outside of the building and the door frames and windows are in place as well. The various windows will allow an onlooker to enjoy the architectural beauty of the structure while standing in different rooms the building.

According to Stover, there are a lot of arches and architectural reveals that are beginning to take shape in the building, displaying more rounded features, not just square lines. Some of the building’s other features will include the clock tower, the bricks in the front of the building, a paving brick courtyard and a magnificent stairway with handrails.

“The architectural details, both inside and out, will not be fully appreciated until the building is completed and the full beauty of the project can be seen by all,” said Stover.

Although rain hasn’t slowed the construction progress of the Teen Center and Public Health building, the weather has still played a factor in its recent development.

According to Assistant City Manager Dana Shigley, the particularly cold weather this winter has hampered the advancement of the outside of the building; however, the inside of the structure continues to take shape.

“Sheet rock was delivered last week, but the workers can’t apply stucco until the nights are warmer than 40 degrees,” said Shigley. “The brick will be applied to the building after the stucco work is completed.”

Shigley projects a partial occupancy of the building by March 30 and full occupancy sometime in April. Because of contractual obligations with granting agencies, construction workers are speeding up the development of the Teen Center side of the building to meet their March 30 occupancy deadline.

The City of Anderson is hopeful the Teen Center and Public Health building, along with the development of the Downtown Plaza area, will be a major contributor in generating more interest in the downtown Anderson area.

“We’re trying to create a nice open space for the community to gather,” said Shigley.