Renew Our City needs volunteers

Published 3:45 pm Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Volunteers will have multiple ways to help with this weekend’s “Renew Our City.”

The Demopolis Historical Preservation Commission is seeking help clean up a historic property in town Saturday.

The commission is cleaning the house at 404 East Washington Street. The lot has been listed by the city as overgrown, and the structure has been listed as dilapidated.

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The home is considered a “contributing historical property,” which means it’s valuable to the city’s historical district.

The current owners are not able to accomplish what needs to be done to the property, and the commission doesn’t want to lose another structure, according to Brian Brooker with the preservation commission.

Work at the property will begin at 8 a.m. and is expected to be done by noon with enough help.

Work will also be done downtown Saturday. Volunteers interested in helping there should meet at the Public Square at 8 a.m.

“Renew Our City” is sponsored by the city of Demopolis, the beautification board, the Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce, Alabama Power, Demopolis Rotary Club, RockTenn, Cemex and Ellis Architects.

Residents are also encouraged to use the weekend as an opportunity to do some work around their homes or businesses.

“Demopolis Beautification and all the sponsors of the event ask that all citizens look at their place of business, home, school and church and do a little Spring cleaning,” said Diane Brooker, chairwoman of the Demopolis Beautification Commission. “Show pride in your community by cutting the grass, edging sidewalks, picking up trash, cleaning street gutters and ditches.”

The city is providing dumpsters for residents to dispose of items. They will be located on West Capitol Street, next to the downtown Alabama Power Company office. Trash bags can also be picked up at city hall and at Alabama Power.

Demopolis Public Works will be providing curbside service for the elderly and those who do not have the means to bring items to the dumpsters between Wednesday and Saturday.

Public Works Superintendent Mike Baker asks for people to call Public Works at (334) 289-3879 or Baker at (334) 341-1082 to schedule a pickup time. This will help Public Works in picking up the items more efficiently.

For more information about Renew Our City, contact Diane Brooker at (334) 289-6511.