DOTHAN, Ala. (WDHN) — Although there are many architecture firms in Houston County, the commission is planning to give Gosselin Architecture firm the nod to restore life back into the dilapidated farm center.
“The reason he has been proposed is that he has done a lot of major projects, he has also been a part of the Historical Preservation Society so he has that historical perspective and he used to be the head of the Poplar’s Farmers Market,” Brandon Shoupe said.
Ideas for the Houston County Farm Center are still in the exploratory phase but county officials are planning for a design where a farmers market will be the permanent utilizer.
“It seems to me that’s a great fit, from the historical perspective of that property it has always been an agricultural-based property and we would love for that to continue and it probably makes the most sense,” Shoupe said.
However, it will not be solely for a farmer’s market.
The architecture firm says this project will mainly consist of deleting a lot of things like taking down the walls to create an open space. If the contract is approved, they will present design drawings to the commission immediately.
Chairman Shoupe said he believes it will take about $2 million of work to make it a multipurpose facility.
The building is gonna require extensive renovations nothing is cheap but the roof will take up most of that money because it’s a membrane roof and it leaks right now,” He said.
If the contract is approved at the commission meeting Monday, work could begin in the next 3-6 months.