Ben Bradock, Andrew Clark, Troy Davis, Jesse Gerstl, Zack Poll, Troy White … Saving Commercial Architecture In Historic Downtown Rocky Mount – Part 1

Like beads on a rosary, I pause on each bead to add a name connected to the preservation, restoration, and repurposing of Main Street. I name the place holders like Virginia's and The Bicycle Shop, that welcome new business, and the entertainment sector: restaurants, coffee shops, and bars. Part of this litany of names includes, … Continue reading Ben Bradock, Andrew Clark, Troy Davis, Jesse Gerstl, Zack Poll, Troy White … Saving Commercial Architecture In Historic Downtown Rocky Mount – Part 1 →

Andre Knight’s Best Role – Saving These Wonderful Buildings!

BEFORE AFTER - 116 SUNSET I have taken photographs of this building on Main Street many times because it is one of my favorite. On life support, I've been sitting by the bedside, so to speak, keeping a close watch on the patient growing weaker. These are classic commercial facades, and when restored to health, … Continue reading Andre Knight’s Best Role – Saving These Wonderful Buildings! →

Mercy, Mercy Me – What’s Going On?

Since Usher is my favorite, we have his rendition of Marvin Gaye's song, Mercy, Mercy Me. I know the song is about the environment, but he kept singing in my ear as I considered writing this post on the impact of crime in Rocky Mount. Click on the song link above, and you will agree that … Continue reading Mercy, Mercy Me – What’s Going On? →

The Carlton House – A Second Chance To Get It Right

We spend a lot of time talking about Rockey Mount's problems. We can name the people on the Council, and those with positions in City Government that are the problem. When another significant piece of the revitalization puzzle is sabotaged, it is of no consequence to the 'My Will Be Done' crowd. There is an … Continue reading The Carlton House – A Second Chance To Get It Right →

The Beauty of Art In The Preservation of Rocky Mount Mills

A sheet of glass that allows you to see a magical staircase beyond The first time I went to Rocky Mount Mills I met Eddie Belk, a man with a gleam in his eye. I looked the word, gleam, up and found one of the definitions that suited Eddie to a tee: a facial expression that denotes happiness, … Continue reading The Beauty of Art In The Preservation of Rocky Mount Mills →

The Old Neighborhood – 700 Block Arlington Street

By now, the morning sun was just over the horizon and it came at me like a sidearm pitch between the houses of my old neighborhood. I shielded my eyes. This being early October, there were already piles of leaves pushed against the curb—more leaves than I remembered from my autumns here—and less open space … Continue reading The Old Neighborhood – 700 Block Arlington Street →