From the Autauga County Heritage Association
This is a monumental day in the life of Prattville! Today, the final contract has been signed by all parties involved -the City, Historic Prattville Redevelopment Authority, Envolve (developers) and financiers.
Construction on the loft apartments will begin soon and we can look forward to new life for our beloved Gin Shop! This has been a long time coming with the first meeting occurring in December 2011 when the former Continental Eagle Corp. owners announced they had to sell the property. Then in January 2012, the company ceased operations.
Since that time, there have been many ups and downs to reach this milestone. Many locals expressed sighs of dismay and unbelief that this monumental project would ever move forward. Now is the time to breathe a sigh of relief and give thanks to those who never wavered in their belief that this project was worthy and crucial to saving, not only this incredible complex, but securing the future of our historic downtown. It’s appropriate at this season of Thanksgiving, we remember those who have worked untiringly to ensure this day would come- HPRA and the City for working together to find a way to purchase the property and negotiating with developers; the developers at Envolve for taking on such a project and enduring and conquering the hoops and hurdles thrown their way as they maneuvered through endless governmental regulations.
All of these individuals endured and kept their eyes on the potential this historically significant project holds for our City of Prattville and its citizens. As one developer said, “There is not another piece of property in the U.S. as unique and outstanding as this one. It’s a project that is demanding to be preserved.”
