The new owner of Bresee Tower in Downtown Danville says his first impressions are that the inside of the 12-story building is in much better shape than he expected. Scottie Porter is the Executive Director of the non-profit Historic Restorations, Inc which is based in Alabama.
‘’I am extremely impressed with all of the architectural elements and significance inside the building and outside the building. The materials that were used – I can’t imagine how much it cost to build this building originally in 1917,’’ said Porter as he was interviewed Friday inside Bresee Tower. ‘’There is so much marble and detail work, and copper and bronze, and terrazzo tiles, and the chandeliers and the clock and the bronze details around the doors – all are carved to match.’’
But the outside of the building has areas where bits of terra cotta have fallen, and Porter says he realizes that needs to be the first priority. ‘’I certainly recognize that there is a strong need for urgency, and there are some public safety concerns. We do have a covered catwalk out there that was city-erected. There’s barriers out front – but the city built that – if I’m not mistaking, ten years ago. So some of the urgency that I hear just in two-and-a-half weeks since I’ve taken ownership, should have been addressed in the last three years…five years…seven years…nine years…ten years,’’ says Porter.
Porter plans to hold a public fund-raising effort to try to secure around $1.2 million dollars for the exterior work on the building. He says citizens will likely start hearing more about that effort in a month or so. ”I think you’ll see signs of fund-raising within 30 days. I think you will see physical signs on the ground here at the building as soon as the spring temperatures are consistent,” said Porter. ”They may see some lifts, and they may even see some sky bridges that anchor and come off the roof before that – you may see some of that. It will be architects and engineers creating the drawings of the exterior of the building.”
Porter also estimates that work on the interior will cost anywhere from $4-million to $6-million dollars. He says efforts will be made to sell space inside the building – such as condominiums or high-end apartments. A portion of the lower level would likely be used for office space, said Porter as he discussed the building’s future with VermilionCountyFirst.com News. He adds he is still accepting suggestions from the public on the building’s future use.
Whatever the building ends up being, Porter says restoring and saving it will be a long-term process.
[***Note: You can click on the photos to enlarge them. Porter is shown in one of them looking at the shelves inside the second floor office area of the former First National Bank president. He notes that another area that looked like a closet was actually a private telephone booth for the bank president’s use.]
