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Local
Fitzgerald Eatery Receives Statewide
Preservation Award
Nabila’s
Garden Restaurant Returns Space to
Turn-of-the-Century Charm
ATLANTA,
April 2, 2005—Nabila’s
Garden Restaurant in Fitzgerald, Ga.,
received an award for Excellence in
Rehabilitation from The Georgia Trust for
Historic Preservation at its annual meeting
April 2 in Thomasville, Ga.
Originally
constructed in 1907 to house the local chapter
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the
201 South Main Street building was
rehabilitated in 2001 to serve as a new
buffet-style restaurant.
Part
of the Fitzgerald Commercial Historic District
since 1992, the building has gone through
several renovations in its near-century of
existence. In the 1950s and 1960s, the
building was given an aluminum storefront and
a metal awing to make it look more
modern.
In
2001, owner Nabila Covington was looking to
start a southern-style buffet, but she wanted
the building to resemble its 1907 appearance.
Rehabilitation efforts included removing the
aluminum siding and replacing it with wood and
windows where appropriate. The brick was also
repaired, and windows on the second story were
uncovered and restored. The original sliding
service door in the rear was preserved for its
historical significance.
Inside,
alterations to update the building to code did
not interfere with the historic character of
the original space. The large interior room
was preserved and turned into the dining room.
The pressed tin ceiling and original cast iron
columns were both restored and painted
black.
“This
rehabilitation has made Nabila’s Garden
Restaurant a historically significant space
that brings new life to downtown
Fitzgerald,” said Greg Paxton, president and
CEO of The Georgia Trust.
For
more than 25 years the Trust has recognized
preservation projects and individuals in the
state who have made significant contributions
to the field of historic preservation. Awards
are presented on the basis of the
contributions of the person or project to the
community and/or state and on compliance with
the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards
for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
Excellence
in Rehabilitation awards recognize projects
that make compatible use of a building through
repair, alterations or additions while
preserving features of the property that
convey its historic value. This year the Trust
presented 15 Excellence in Rehabilitation
awards.
With
more than 8,000 members, The Georgia Trust for
Historic Preservation is the country’s
largest statewide, nonprofit preservation
organization. Founded in 1973, the Trust is
committed to preserving and enhancing
Georgia’s communities and their diverse
historic resources for the education and
enjoyment of all.
The
Trust generates community revitalization by finding buyers for
endangered properties acquired by its
Revolving Fund; provides design assistance to
105 Georgia Main Street cities and encourages
neighborhood revitalization; trains
Georgia’s teachers in 56 Georgia school
systems to engage students in discovering
state and national history through their local
historic resources; and advocates for funding,
tax incentives and other laws aiding
preservation efforts.
The
Georgia Trust is a recipient of the Trustees
Award for Organizational Excellence from the
National Trust for Historic Preservation.
For
more information on the award winner, contact
Lori Wiggins at 229-426-5079 or mainstreetfitz@mchsi.com.
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