Civic Center regulars displaced, relocated

By Kelly Tabor

Published: October 10, 2008

Insurance adjusters and Mayor Kenneth Boswell will tour the Enterprise Civic Center Friday morning to assess the amount of damage to the building from Wednesday’s tornado.

Following the 10:30 a.m. assessment, a decision will be made to repair and rebuild the structure or have it condemned.

The tornado struck Enterprise just before noon Wednesday and heavily damaged the Civic Center, which also serves as a Senior Center, and damaged parts of City Hall and Wal-Mart. According to the Parks and Recreation Department, senior citizens who regularly use the building will be relocated to the M.N. “Jug” Brown Recreation Center starting Monday.

The storm caused power and cable outages, fallen trees, downed power lines, broken windows and minor road blockages. No fatalities or major injuries were reported, according to the Coffee County Emergency Management Agency. Preliminary estimated damage costs are $3.5 to $4 million.

“The Civic Center was the focal point of the tornado damage,“ said Coffee County EMA Director John Tallas. “I haven’t heard any report of significant damage in other parts of the county.“

The 1940s-era Civic Center, on West Crawford Avenue, was originally a National Guard Armory. Chamber of Commerce President Phil Thomas said the new Enterprise Civic Center/Senior Center, already under construction off Highway 167, is scheduled for completion in June 2009.

“We’ve been through tough times before, we just need to hang in there for another six or eight months,“ said Thomas.

Tallas said the Coffee County Red Cross, which was also headquartered in the Civic Center, has relocated to the Seitz Building on Highway 84 east and began moving everything out of the damaged building.

“There’s extensive water damage in the offices, especially to their files and records,“ said Tallas. “It may be a total loss, and it is insured, but the mayor has to make that decision.“

The National Weather Service has not yet classified the strength of the tornado. According to the Weather Service, the storm dumped 1.87 inches of rain in Enterprise, but some Coffee County residents have reported 3 and 4 inches from their home rain gauges.

“The gauge at my house, which is by no means scientific, had exactly 3 inches in it,“ said Tallas.

There was also mainly cosmetic damage to Wal-Mart on Boll Weevil Circle after the tornado swept across the parking lot, hitting the main grocery entrance.

Numerous trees and power lines were also knocked down around College Street, and Alabama Power said, at the most, about 2,600 Enterprise-area customers were without power.

Enterprise residents who need assistance can call these phone numbers:
Parks and Recreation Department (334) 348-2680
Enterprise Water Department (334) 348-2652
Coffee County Red Cross (334) 347-2461
Enterprise Fire Department (334) 348-2640