Hurley Community Development Center

Image by Frank Caramone, Cardamone Photography

Summerville - Chattooga County

The Hurley Community Development Center represents a transformative investment in downtown revitalization, breathing new life into a historic bank building. After decades of neglect, the project began with stabilizing the structure, followed by careful restoration of character-defining features including terrazzo floors, marble teller counters, vaults, and original wood elements. Windows were reglazed or replaced in kind, and exterior masonry and concrete were repaired to rehabilitate the building envelope and prevent further deterioration. Non-historic alterations were removed to restore the building’s open lobby, while modern systems and accessibility improvements were sensitively integrated.
Today, the building serves as a vibrant hub for local commerce and community life. The former teller line now supports small businesses and entrepreneurs, while the lobby hosts events, networking, and public gatherings. Spaces for training, meetings, and visitor engagement foster opportunity and connection. By pairing thoughtful preservation with purposeful reuse, the project anchors downtown and creates a shared space for the town’s continued growth.

The Michael L. Starr Award was created in 2020 in memory of Mike Starr, former Board Chair of the Georgia Trust and the Georgia Cities Foundation. This award honors the rehabilitation of a downtown historic building which best exemplifies the highest standards of historic rehabilitation and has a significant impact on the downtown of the city in which it is located.