By Vance Perkins
The meeting to discuss the feasibility and possibility of restoring the old Hammons Building in downtown DeQuincy was well attended. The building that most knew as Perkins Pharmacy is now abandoned and boarded up. The present owner has placed it on the market. On Saturday, Apr. 13, forty individuals showed up to share ideas and opinions concerning the future of the building.
While not all, most in attendance think the building could be saved and restored. Some were of the opinion that the building is too far gone. Those in attendance were interested citizens from here in DeQuincy. Several DeQuincy natives who were born and raised here but now live elsewhere were also in attendance. They came from Arkansas, Dallas, Houston, New Braunfels and Baton Rouge. Among those in attendance were contractors, business owners, city officials and citizens from a wide cross section of our local citizens.
There was a free exchange of information and ideas. There seemed to be a consensus among those in attendance that the first order of business is to have professional engineers inspect the building and advise us if the building is salvageable. Then negotiations with the owner would take place. So far investors have not been interested in the building. The formation of a non profit corporation to obtain grants and philanthropic donations was discussed. Various ideas concerning how the building would be used were also discussed. A brief history of the building was also given.
In attendance were the Carlson, grandchildren of the Harrells, who managed the hotel in the 1920s and ‘30s. Eddie Batchelor, former owner of Perkins Pharmacy and the last local owner of the building, also shared valuable information with us. We know this is a difficult project but many are willing to attempt it. The findings from the engineering study will determine our path forward. We will share the information when it becomes available. Watch for future developments.
