Mill cleanup underway

By Michael Butler

Work has begun on cleaning up the east side mill property in Tallassee. May 5 will be the one-year anniversary of the fire that destroyed the 119-year-old structure.

"We've got some machinery down there," Tallassee mayor Johnny Hammock said.

Hammock met with owners Tommy and Thomas Hudson recently.

"When I was with them, they had five phone calls of people wanting to buy stone and brick," Hammock added.

The estimate on time to clean up the property is 18 months.

"It could be two years," said Hammock. "People don't understand how big projects like this don't move at the speed of light. You've got to have patience. We're moving in the right direction."

As for the future use of the site, Hammock hopes to work out a deal on city's behalf for a portion of the property.

"I asked if the city could possibly purchase the first section if he subdivided it up and give us the section closest to the filter plant. Our filter plant is over 100 years old and is at 66 percent capacity. You've got to think a couple of mayors down the road, not while I'm mayor. What are we going to do if we're at 100 percent capacity. We're already set up there."

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