Rees Park Economic Development Center near completion

Offices that will be housed in the completely renovated Rees Park Economic Development Center, formerly Rees Park School, such as the Chamber of Commerce, Americus Sumter CountyPayroll Development Authority and Arts Council, will start moving into the building sometime in mid July, according to City of Americus officials.

Americus Chief Administrative Officer Charlotte Cotton said Tuesday that the only projects left for the building are furnishings, re-paving of the parking lot and landscaping of the grounds.  It could be said that Rees Park School building is the Phoenix that arose from the ashes.

While the building may be considered old and historic to some, renovations to the building are making it new and bright, but steps are being taken to maintain the building's historic-ness, according to Americus Mayor Barry Blount.

"All the rooms contain the exposed brick," Blount said. There is one room upstairs in which the bricks were damaged by the tornado, and all but one wall contains sheet rock.

Downstairs, what was once the auditorium has been made over into a huge community room that would rival the biggest ballrooms of European castles. "I've been told this facility will hold around 200 people," Blount said, voice echoing off the walls.

Down from the auditorium is a kitchen/breakroom facility. All the old radiators from the school are in there, and they will be placed throughout the building for historic effect.

Downstairs will be the Americus-Sumter County Chamber of Commerce Offices, and all the rooms have been carpeted and contain large rectangular windows. Upstairs, the room for the Americus-Sumter County Arts Council does not contain carpet, because painting will take place in those rooms. The old library will be the conference room for the Americus-Sumter County Payroll Development Authority (PDA). That organization will have offices upstairs, as well.

The basement - the old lunchroom - will be used for a storage area, the mayor said.

"We want to make this area for community activities," Blount said, with enthusiasm and optimism. "I think you can see the potential it has," Blount said. Outside, the basketball court will be moved down, and landscaping has been approved for the area. Also, there will be 50 to 75 parking spaces at near the school.

"All of this was mostly paid by insurance," Blount said of the inside of the building. "The tornado gave us a head start on getting this done." He said this was "one good thing" that come from the tornado.