Newspaper Page Text
THE ISLANDER, MARCH 30, 2009, PAGE 9
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Brunswickiana: Judging the merits of a Custom's House
By Patricia Barefoot
effort, taxpayers approved $200,000 for
property acquisition as well as sorely
needed renovation, for a newly acquired
municipal building.
The venerable city attorney, Ber
nard N. Nightingale described the
building as a "white elephant" and
the City Commission
Described as a hard-working man,
a living legend and a true American
hero, U.S. District Judge Anthony A.
Alaimo helped preserve the fabric of
the City's architectural treasures. He
rightfully deserves many additional
accolades but also should be noted
for his contribution
to historic preserva- To destroy the distinctive char- ultimately lacked sufB-
tion acter of this magnificent building cient funding to realize
Writing in a June would be shameful... The building their plans.
1975 issue of The ' s a 9'ft to us f rom the past, Let us The handsome Geor-
Atlanta Journal & not dishonor the past by scorning gian Revival stmc ture
Constitution, Miss 9'ft‘ ^ us remember. A peo- continued to deterio-
Mary McGarvey P |e who for 9 et their P ast wil1 have rate and on April 4,
enthused about his no future worth remembering." 1962 three local busi-
brilliance. With a Carlton A. Morrison, nessmen were awarded
May 1, 1962
backward glance,
she told about a citizen's committee
and efforts to save the old Custom
House (c. 1901) and a court battle led
by the future judge.
In February 1951, an act of the Geor
gia legislature empowered the City
to purchase the old Custom House,
which had been converted to a Post
Office. News accounts suggest that a
bond referendum provided funding for
the City's initial purchase of the old
Custom House/Post Office. Toward this
a successful bid. The
Commission agreed to a five-year lease
and option to buy the property and
in doing so galvanized public opin
ion, especially when the businessmen
announced plans to alter the building's
facade to accommodate store space.
The Mayor lamented this was the
"worst decision the City Commission
had ever made" and a delegation of the
Committee for Preserving the Former
Post Office Building made an impas
sioned appeal. Principal members were
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1616 Newcastle Street • Brunswick • 912-554-1616
Stroll on down to...
w
X
H
MARKET
ON NEWCASTLE
Between the 4th of May Downtown and Gallery on Newcastle
Open Late
telephone
912.554.7909
1624 Newcastle Street
Brunswick, GA 31520
f ax
912.554.7977
Mrs. Frances A. Wood, banker I.M.
Aiken, Miss Marie Torras, Potter Gould,
and Miss Mary McGarvey. Colleen Wil
liams spoke out as president, Ameri
can Association of Univeristy Women,
Brunswick Chapter; she urged saving
"this unique and priceless possession."
In July 1962, property owners, the
Misses Virginia and Margaret McGar
vey, represented by Attorney Anthony
A Alaimo brought suit against the City
opposing the lease-sale contract. After a
two-day hearing, Superior Court Judge
Douglas Thomas issued a temporary
restraining order, which was made per
manent on September 18, 1962. Cit
ing the 1951 act, Alaimo argued the
building's use should be devoted only
to "a city hall and other municipal pur
poses."
He argued the "public trust is
involved in a bond issue, and the Com
mission has no discretion to subvert this
bond." A final argument advised that
the lease-sales price was "grossly unfair
and unconscionably inadequate" citing
a provision in the city's charter that "a
public building cannot be sold for less
than half its assessed valuation." Mod
eled after Philadelphia's Independence
Hall, the old Custom House/Post Office
serves the community today as the
"New City Hall." □
CUNNINGHAM
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Golden Isles
1510 Newcastle Street
Premier Jeweler
Brunswick, Georgia
Since 1916
(912) 265-8652