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Work Begins To Demolish Town’s Asbestos Containing Building
November 26, 2012
Work is scheduled to begin to day to demolish an large, dilapidated asbestos-containing building in Century.
The town council had voted to demolish the building at 7601 Mayo Street back in 2011, but asbestos concerns put those plans on hold. A study found asbestos in the older 6,400 square foot two story portion of the building, as well as in the newer single story portion of the structure, according to Century Mayor Freddie McCall.
The town found a grant from the Regional Planning Council to abate the asbestos and demolish the structure. Because the town is not eligible to receive the grant, the building was deeded to the Century Chamber of Commerce, which is eligible for the assistance.
Once the building is demolished, the chamber will have up to 10 years to lure development to the property or it will revert back to the town. The town will approve or deny any lease or purchase of the property.
The white, mostly brick building across from the old hospital housed doctors’ offices and even a pharmacy and soda fountain years ago. It has been abandoned for several years and is in an obvious state of disrepair with roof and structural problems.
The building demolition and asbestos abatement are scheduled to be complete by December 12. Residents and visitors to the area are asked to use caution and abide by all safety notifications and barriers.
Pictured above: This building on Mayo Street will be demolished. Pictured below: The interior of the building. NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Comments
5 Responses to “Work Begins To Demolish Town’s Asbestos Containing Building”
It is sad to see an end to this building, not so much for the building itself but for all of the memories in it. And many of those memories are attributed to the former owner and pharmacist. Many who read this probably don’t remember the heyday of the Drug Store, it was sold in the mid 1980’s and Andy left us in 1990. But for those who do, I hope you enjoy the look back.
I had heard from those older than me that Century was once like Mayberry. And if that is so, then this building was the equivalent of Floyd’s barbershop. It was a daily stop for many, as the store had not only customers, but regular visitors, folks who would just drop in to catch up on the latest shenanigans. The small couch in the original building gave way to chairs in the new addition. And for a select few, there was a stool for them behind the counter.
If laughter is the best medicine, then it was dosed out daily from behind the counter.
Even before the wild caged mongoose resided behind the counter, other schemes were hatched. Century was twice invaded, once by international forces and once intergalactic. The former was a Russian submarine that had entered Pensacola Bay, was fired on by the Navy, and then retreated into the depths of the Gulf. A crowd gathered around a radio at the old hospital across the street as the drama played out over the air over the span of several hours. Only later did they learn that it was broadcast from a wireless microphone from behind the counter. Orson Welles would have been proud.
One night in one of the local gravel lakes, a UFO crash-landed and sank just below the surface, attracting the attention of local police and fire departments. It was quite an elaborate setup involving skyrockets and submersed lights. And it was all conceived, you guessed it, behind the counter.
And the list goes on.
Oh, and one last thing, the upstairs is haunted.
I thought the building had been torn down already as it used to grab my attention as I drove by, now I do not even notice it.
Perhaps I am too preoccupied with my speedometer reading and what is in my rearview mirrors to notice it.
@Mike,
It was built in the early to mid-fifties. It repaced a frame building that may be seen here: http://www.algersullivan.org/century_pharmacy.html
What year was the building constructed?
“The white, mostly brick building across from the old hospital housed doctors’ offices and even a pharmacy and soda fountain years ago.”
It also was a Christian bookstore in the 70s.