Malia Riggs
Elmore Autauga News
The Historic Preservation Commission, or HPC, approved a slew of line items for updates, improvements and renovations to the Picker House, a historical landmark in downtown Prattville.
The renovations are in hopes of turning the Picker House into a two-story restaurant in the heart of downtown Prattville.
The HPC took over an hour to deliberate nine-line items that were up for consideration. They refer to the HPC guidelines and how the commission tries to uphold the historical integrity of structures within the historical district of Prattville.
Chris McNeil with Chambless King Architects explained all the renovations in detail to the HPC and answered questions along the way. Chambless King Architects also helped restore The Mill at Prattville and many other historical buildings in the state.
“Our intent is to complement existing architectural details and those components to be able to make sure that the addition, along with the existing building, keeps with the historic preservation,” McNeil said.
A hot topic with the HPC that took some deliberation Thursday night was the painting of the brick, the addition of new balconies and keeping as much of the original structure as possible during renovations.
As it stands now, everything on the nine-item list was approved by HPC, however some of those renovations have some caveats. The renovations to the Picker House will include, new doors and windows, a two story back balcony facing the Autauga Creek, and a balcony facing Court St. off the second story door that leads to nowhere as of right now.
New awnings will be added, a new addition to the side of the Picker House will also be built and added, two additional bathrooms, ice and beer coolers as well as an outdoor patio facing Spillway Park.
The indoor bar on the first floor will seat 24, and the dining room will seat approximately 48. The second-floor dining room will seat around 50 with the upstairs bar also seating 24. On the balcony overhanging the Autauga Creek and the patio add on will be about 100 seats and the balcony on Court St. will be 14 seats, McNeil stated.
The HPC has had a long-standing opinion against the painting of brick, and often disapproves of the painting of brick in any other circumstance. However, the HPC did approve the painting of brick for three sides of the Picker House as the brick is already painted and fading. The HPC did not approve the painting of the side facing the creek where the double story balcony will be.
Overall, the HPC alluded to being excited about this project, while also asking the petitioners to salvage any brick and other materials they can to either donate or repurpose.
“It’s dramatic changes but look at some of our comments we have made before about The Mill properties. You’ve got someone investing a lot of money in a building that otherwise would just sit there,” Chairman of the Historic Preservation Commission Tom Miller said.
