BAY MINETTE –Men of the Coalition would like to build an auditorium to serve the Douglasville community and know where they want to put it — on the site of the current community center.

Built in the 1960’s, the red brick structure is past its prime. Years of neglect have led to holes in the edge of the roof. There is no feasible way to renovate the center and bring it up to current building codes.

 “It’s too old and worn out,” said MOC chairman Clarence Henderson. “We need an up to date building to meet the needs of the community.

“We hope to build an auditorium that is fortified as a storm shelter.”

Rough cost estimates for the new building are around $150,000. MOC is ready to spearhead the project, but need the city to release the property.

“We’ve got to get some kind of rights to the property before we can start,” said Henderson. “As a 501(c)3, we can take donations and apply for grants to fund the project.”

The city owns the building that doesn’t have a sprinkler system or a fire exit. The fire marshal sign on the front limits occupancy to 125 people without tables or chairs and just 75 with tables and/or chairs. The city cannot donate the community center to the community.

Henderson and MOC sent a letter to the Bay Minette Mayor and City Council asking for either a long-term lease at minimal costs or selling the property for the yearly tax assessment.

“If they could sell it to us for a reasonable rate, that would be great,” said Henderson. “People are willing to donate money, but not for a building we don’t own.”

No timeframe has been set for the project.