Work is under way on the community park and car-parking area at 212 E. Hiram in downtown Atlanta, Texas. The family store destroyed here by fire is being turned into an area for public use.
The Woods Furniture Co. burned on Nov. 5, 2014. After more than 60 years at this location, the E.B. Woods family gave the property to the city.
The park project is being directed by the Atlanta City Development Corp. and is budgeted to cost $286,430. The ACDC is funded by a one-half cent sales tax approved by voters.
The work is being done by the low bidder Mike Rogers Construction of Lone Star. Project engineering is by CLB Engineering of Texarkana, a firm that has overseen other city projects, including the Plaza Pocket Park on East Main and the recent repaving of the Atlanta Sports Complex parking lot.
The east side of the building space on Hiram Street will be the parking area. The western side is having its old, deteriorated floor surface removed. With beautification projects to come, the park should appeal to community residents, officials said.
Electric power and wi-fi connection will be available and the walls of buildings next to the space will be prepared so that movies can be projected on their surfaces.
Back in 1963, Edward Ben Woods and his wife, Helen, opened their furniture store July 4, Independence Day. The business thrived with family members and others joining in to help its success through the years. Owner E.B. Woods said he had one secret for success-he and his employees always started each day with prayer.
The Woods' two-story building fire started during the night and was fought by the Atlanta Fire Department for six hours. That effort and a firewall saved the next-door Terrell Brothers Furniture Store.
The destruction was complete, however, and all that remained was to tear down the structure and leave the open space. Its cause was not determined.
The park project is to be completed by fall or early winter.
