26-02-2025
Higginbotham Printing building is being demolished
The sounds of crashing bricks, mortar and metal echoed through downtown Anniston on Monday morning as crews demolished the old Higginbotham Printing building on Moore Avenue.
Jackson Hodges, Anniston's public information director, said the property was generously donated to the city by Richard Thompson.
'This key parcel, located adjacent to the soon-to-be-completed Chief Ladiga Trail and just steps away from The City Market, will soon play a vital role in downtown Anniston's future,' Hodges stated in a press release Monday.
Before the building was demolished, the city's communications team explored the site, recovering cherished memorabilia, including family photos, historical documents, and records of an old Linotype printing press that once played a role in shaping Anniston's written history, Hodges said.
'Among the treasures found were old high school yearbooks and a special centennial booklet celebrating Anniston's 100-year anniversary. These items serve as a reminder of the generations who lived, worked, and built memories within these walls,' Hodges said.
Higginbotham Printing shared the building with Business Systems Inc.
Higginbotham Building BW
On Monday city crews began tearing down the old Higginbotham Printing building on Moore Avenue. Anniston city officials said the site will be developed to serve the community in a "meaningful way." Photo by Bill Wilson, The Anniston Star
Future Plans for the Site
Karla Eden, Main Street Anniston director, said that while Main Street programs prioritize the preservation and adaptive reuse of historic properties, the Higginbotham building, constructed in 1970, does not hold significant historical value. However, it did serve the community for years as a thriving business before sitting vacant after its closure.
'We are incredibly grateful for the generous donation of this property, as it presents an opportunity for the city to redevelop the land and continue serving our community in a meaningful way,' Eden said. 'While city leadership has not yet determined the future use of the site, I personally see great potential in leveraging this space to further the revitalization of our downtown district.'
Eden said each Main Street community operates under a 'transformation strategy' that guides revitalization efforts.
'For Main Street Anniston, our focus is on outdoor sports and recreation, as well as tourism. Given the site's proximity to the Chief Ladiga Trail, I believe it would be beneficial to explore the potential for another public recreation area that aligns with our strategy,' she said.
She noted that the abundance of large commercial properties downtown can create a high barrier to entry for small business owners.
'We take pride in our locally owned businesses and restaurants, and fostering a 'shop local, shop small' culture remains a priority. To support this, I have spent the last year researching a concept inspired by the Western Market in Muskegon, Michigan. Their model of small business chalets has created a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, and I have attended workshops at the Main Street America National Conference to gain insights into how we might implement a similar initiative in Anniston,' Eden said.
She said the old Higginbotham property could potentially serve as a location for such a market, providing an accessible space for small businesses to thrive.
'Though the exact plans for the Higginbotham property remain undetermined, its demolition offers a clean slate for our city leadership to make a well-informed decision about its best possible use. I am eager to see what the future holds and excited about the possibilities this redevelopment could bring to our community,' she said.
