New life in downtown

Published Monday, October 26, 2009

More life has come to downtown Alexander City in recent weeks.

In this weekend’s edition, The Outlook profiled two local businesses that are helping to bring new life to old buildings: DE General and the Wellborn Musclecar Museum.

DE General recently purchased the old No. 1 mill from Russell Corp. and the Alexander City company has high hopes for the former textile factory. DE General has proposed turning the building into a community center.

“We want it to become a building that is recognized for its historical significance and its commitment to the town,” DE General president Tim Evans said. “We think it is what this town was founded on.”

If you’ve driven in downtown Alexander City, you’ve probably noticed the new neon Wellborn Musclecar Museum sign lit up at night. That’s because this museum is getting ready to open soon.

Tim Wellborn, owner of the museum and musclecar collector, is watching his dream come true at the old Darwin Dobbs dealership on Broad Street. He said his museum is the only true musclecar museum in the nation.

“This building is, in my opinion, better than any new building because it’s where cars were originally sold,” Wellborn said.

The Wellborn museum is scheduled to open sometime early next year.

We’re glad to see all of this activity in downtown. It’s great to see new life come to empty buildings.

We hope that this trend continues.

---

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?

---