Gazebo not likely to find home at The Hole

By AMY SATTERWHITE / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

City crews remove the downtown gazebo from its perch on Court Square. While plans were to move it to a city lot on East Main Street once called The Hole, city officials are reconsidering that idea. (Amy Satterwhite photo)

The area once known to locals as “The Hole” should be getting a facelift in conjunction with downtown construction, but just what kind of look is in mind is still up for grabs.

City officials are focusing on the wooden gazebo and wondering if the original plan to place it at The Hole, which is now a sloping lot, is the best idea. City officials purchased The Hole about six years ago, cleaned it up and filled it with dirt and plans were to create an amphitheater-type space there using the gazebo as a centerpiece.

The gazebo, which has been at the center of Court Square for years, has been used by various community groups, musicians and others who have held functions there, but it was moved during downtown construction. It is being stored at a parking lot on Colville Street after being dragged down Main Street with special bracing and heavy equipment.

And although nothing has been decided, talk of placing the gazebo somewhere else, instead of The Hole, has surfaced. In meetings last month, city officials indicated the gazebo is too small for some events. The Silver and Gold Band, for example, can have up to 40 members who do not fit under the structure.

Instead of placing the gazebo in the city lot and paying labor costs to the construction company working on the Main Street project, city officials may reconsider that idea and move the gazebo to Pepper Branch Park. In its place, a part of the lot could be developed into a concrete stage area with removable canopies using in-house labor provided by the Public Works Department.

City officials are also investigating the idea of whether a jet spray feature that would deliver water from small holes in the concrete slab could be added as a play area for children.

Although the idea has been introduced, no decision has been made, and the idea will likely be discussed again formally at a later time. Officials said they need more specifics on cost and design before a decision is made.

“Right now, this is sort of on hold until everyone says if that’s what they want to do or not,” Mayor Royce Davenport said. He did note, however, he believes it is “highly unlikely” the gazebo will be placed in the city’s empty lot, given there are many groups who do not fit comfortably under the gazebo.