“One is the cost to refurbish the cabin, it’s a lot of money. Gould also said there were two core issues about the cabin he was concerned over. He mentioned the formation of “living programs” and educational tools potentially in the making. It’s this one space I think where there’s actually a unique compromise point that was a little unexpected and hopefully, we can move forward collectively in that way.”Ĭouncilman Tim Gould, who is on the committee to memorialize Williams along with Wheaton, said the group is looking at suitable ways to honor her.
“And being able to move forward with that allows us to do something unique, right? We’re able to actually strike a medium where the cabin isn’t destroyed, it’s just relocated, and we’re still able to as a city on that site potentially honor her and honor so many other people. “I am supportive of the Ashley Farms proposal, I think it’s a good one for us to consider,” Wheaton said. Mayor Derek Norton has created in recent months a committee composed of city councilors and residents that are now looking at ways to put a memorial to Williams in the place the cabin currently is. Honoring Fanny Williams through memorialization can serve as that common ground, Wheaton said. Lewis Wheaton, the only Black city councilor, said he believes that common ground can be found between those who wanted the cabin to stay and those who wanted it gone. Lindley said that repairing the 1890s sharecropper’s cabin would have amounted to between $400,000 to $600,000.ĭr. Lindley also said, “the only reason we are here tonight is because the building was in a state of disrepair to where the recommendation was to either condemn it and get rid of it or spend copious tax dollars to fix it.” “ … I wish that the passion that has been on display here in the last couple of weeks had been there over the last 24 years.” “There has not been a meeting that has gone by since December that there has not been public engagement,” Lindley said. Monday, city councilors said they appreciated the passion that people on all sides have put into the issue of the dilapidated cabin.
AUNT FANNY FOR FREE
The city has offered the building for free but now Ashley Farms must pay to move it. The council initially voted in December last year after a task force recommendation to demolish the building unless someone takes it off city property. The provision for the relocation is that if the city enters negotiations with Ashley Limousin Farms and the beef farm is unable to complete the move as outlined or negotiations break down, the city will look at the two remaining proposals that met the city’s criteria.įebruary 1 was the original deadline for bids but was extended in light of public opposition and no one making an acceptable proposal by the deadline.
Smyrna officials said Monday night that three out of four proposals met city criteria. The Courier reported last week that four proposals were submitted to the city by the March 16 deadline. Lindley said there is a move date of no later than July 1.
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