09/27/2023
RENOVATION OF CHAMBER BUILDING MAKING PROGRESS
Centerville is known for the rich history of the town and also of its place in Appanoose County. Throughout history both have recreated themselves as economical, cultural, and population changes as they occur. Mike Matthes, Executive Director PACT (Promoting Appanoose & Centerville Together) is overseeing the remodel of the historical Chamber of Commerce building on the southwest corner of the square. In 2020 the north structural wall collapsed. Matthes and his colleagues Delaney Evers and Christina Larson knew it was time for the building to get not only a facelift but a complete structural remodel. Ervin’s Masonry was called in to begin rebuilding the wall and they noticed there were more eminent issues that needed to be upgraded for safety reasons. After a thorough rundown of what needed to be fixed, the PACT team realized it was going to cost more money than they had imagined. The entire building needed to be gutted to the studs. The PACT Board had a tough decision to make– keep history alive or go the cheap route. The more expensive choice was a complete historic restoration which is what the Board decided to have done. It was important to keep the historical look of the building and to rebuild it with modern materials that gave structural strength. Matthes commented, “The mission of PACT is to preserve the history of the square and make everyone proud. We believe in and follow the city building code which allows us to do that.”
Read the FULL STORY in APPANOOSE COUNTY'S LOCAL NEWSPAPER, APPANOOSE WEEKLY - online with subscription at the link below or get a printed newspaper on newsstands or at the GoPitchTV Studio, 315 N. 10th Street in Centerville. https://www.gopitchtv.com/appanoose-weekly
