By Walter Geiger The long-dilapidated former Lamar EMC building on the corner of College Drive and Taylor Street in downtown Barnesville has been purchased and will be demolished to make way for a major retail operation. The retailer, which has not yet been named, has also reportedly purchased two homes and lots on Lee Street and will tear those down as well. The EMC building was built in 1948 and served as the cooperative’s headquarters for some 50 years. The building and 2.87 acres of land were sold to OPM, LLC of Zebulon on July 24, 2003 for $524,000. It was home to a water distribution operation for a time and later leased to McIntosh Trail which used it to house troubled unwed mothers. Since abandoned, the building had fallen into disrepair and become an eyesore. Recently it was discovered squatters and drug users were calling the building home. Now that the transfer of the property has been finalized, demolition of the building is expected to begin soon. Heavy equipment was spotted on the site last week. The name of the retailer is expected to surface in a news release this week, according to IDA executive director Missy Kendrick.
Be First to Comment