In Sunday’s Herald: Chatham Street
August 22, 2008
I’ve been working on a feature for Sunday’s Herald on Chatham Street in downtown Sanford … the street with the old Buggy Depot and the new Cafe 121.
I bring this up on this site today because I wanted to write about how impressed and excited I am about this string of buildings (and I can’t really do that in the story, you see). The buildings, which have been mostly empty and rundown since the 90s, are currently undergoing heavy renovations by Progressive Contractors, and director Joni Martin gave me a tour of the buildings to show me what’s been done and tell me what’s coming up.
The results, I think, are going to be huge for Sanford. This is a whole part of downtown that’s gone unused and has, until now, started to become an eyesore. The buildings are visible from Depot Park and serve as the backdrop to several events held in that area. I’ll have more in Sunday’s story, but the large four-story building will be both commercial and residential, and the other buildings — some which have been sold or leased already — will house either commercial or residential as well. Two tenants — Cafe 121 and a new office building — have moved in already.
I’d personally love to see a book store or another restaurant move in. It’s a short walk from an area that attracts a lot of people, and I think it will only do wonders for downtown’s appeal.
So if you’re interested in this kind of stuff like I am, buy Sunday’s Herald. And feel free to comment until your fingers bleed.
Pictured below: Example of one of the buildings photographed before the work began and what it should look like when the work is complete:
Entry Filed under: Newspaper, Sanford. Tags: Downtown Sanford NC.
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1.
Al Roethlisberger | August 22, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Also being newcomers to Sanford, it is hard to believe that prior to its completion in 2001, Depot Park was just an old parking lot with a rusting train. And it is hard to believe that many of the improvements to other buildings and surrounds have happened only in the last 2-5 years. In the whole ’scheme of things’…. that’s not very long ago.
A lot can be said about areas for improvement in downtown Sanford, and that’s a good thing that people are still looking for opportunities, but it is also exciting and inspiring to see the changes already made.
I too have been eyeing the strip of buildings along Chatham over the last couple years, and had often asked Joni what the plans were. When Progressive brought their plans to Sanford Historic Preservation Commission outlining the project, it was such great news. And ever since, I’ve been watching the progress, dropping by to check it out, and can not wait to embrace the new vista from Depot Park… and more importantly the new business these retail locations can attract.
I’m very happy to see the Herald running these stories. And while there are surely other news-worthy items to report, these types of stories reinforce what is special about Sanford and the progress being made, along with highlighting the possibilities that might inspire others.
Now, if someone wants to loan me a bucket of money, I’ll be happy to open a bookstore/coffee-shop… with a special rare/antique book section. That would be awesome
Al
2.
Kim | August 23, 2008 at 8:23 pm
I can’t wait to see how great that street is going to turn out!!! I know if Joni is a part of it, it will look wonderful…. I get so excited to see all the improvements that have been made to the downtown area — it is so lovely and it just keeps getting better and better! This will surely be a nice focal point for the area!