By Bethany Adams
For The Tribune
CENTER POINT — Former Center Point Councilor Raymond Olan addressed the Center Point City Council at their last meeting on Thursday concerning the resolution on their agenda to award the bid for the paving of the parking lot at the historic Patterson House.
The historic Patterson House, located in Center Point.
The low bid came in at $53,000-128,000 and would include the paving of two separate sections of the parking lot: one portion providing two handicap spots, and one general parking section. The handicap portion is required by the state.
Olan explained that, when he was on the council, the addition of the non-handicap parking section was under some debate. “It was said we do not have an economical history with the Patterson House,” he said, adding that the house has not been used for an event since the city entered into a partnership with the preservation society a year ago. “Do we realize that we’re investing in something that we have no idea what we’re getting out of it?”
Olan also stated that there were other parking options that could be used for events at the house, including the parking lot which was recently built across the lake, and which can hold over fifty vehicles.
Later during the meeting, Councilor Terry Leesburg pointed out that the bid for the parking lot included both sections, while the council had requested separate bids for each. Since this would prohibit voting on each section individually, the council agreed to postpone the vote until a later date.
Mayor Tom Henderson said the house is part of the park area in the city, and would be used for events, such as weddings and business meetings. He added that the city had not currently gotten any use from the building because it has not yet been completed.
“It’s hard to have events when there’s [construction] that still needs [to be completed],” he said. “The parking lot is very important to having it completed.”
The Patterson House was built in the early 1900s, and was located in the valley. It’s kind of a historical structure, and Henderson indicated he wanted to preserve that.
7 Comments
Sharon Blackwood Wilbourn
According to Mrs Barlow the county turned it down as historical and the mayors wife is trying to go through the state now. How can something be kinda historical?? Either it is or it’s not. This is just an excuse to keep putting OUR money into something that no one will ever use. They have put over a million dollars in it already!!! Who wants to have a wedding somewhere that you need to wear a bullet proof vest to go to.
Sherry Heinz
Nancy Grunden Dreher
Annette Stansell
Previously in 2015, I shared an abundance of information about this tea party house bought at the mayor’s wife request for her to run her non profit business which is documented. This house was moved from another location, added on plus changes made by the city of Center Point prevented it from being accepted as a national historical house. You would think the person creaing a non profit historical Society would at least know what the qualifications are to be a historical house. The 5 council members knew this place parked only 6-7 cars back to back & did not have a federal required disabled parking space.The city mayor publicly admitted he did not obtain a written signed contract with the 2 general contractors yet the 5 council members approved a half million dollars paid (per Olan).
Jane Scoggins
I grew up near this home. It was a special place of wonderment and awe to a young child. The family was always mysterious to me……like the golden era of Hollywood.
Annette Stansell
There were several owners. I knew Phyliss & Jack Taylor & worked with Phyliss at BMC Montclair,
Deborah Hallmark
Where is this house located
Dennis Tina Spencer
Mayor Tom Henderson is a joke! He has presided over center point since the start of the city. It has turned into nothing but a crime ridden ghetto under his watch! Turning this house to place to hold events. What events are really going to want to be held here. Save time and money!