Sep 21, 20221 min
MARTINSVILLE, VA – Martinsville City Council is seeking the public's input regarding the possible demolition of Paradise Inn on Fayette Street.
The city says Paradise Inn was a staple of social life for African-Americans during the Civil Rights era.
The inn was a restaurant and club that hosted a number of national musical acts during its peak of business.
It closed in the mid-90’s and the building was condemned by the city in 2008.
Lack of maintenance and repairs by the property owner since that time has resulted in a continual deterioration of the building, according to the city.
Martinsville said an architectural and engineering assessment was conducted in 2018 regarding the possibility of restoring the building to a usable condition, and costs are simply prohibitive.
The subject will be discussed and residents will have an opportunity to provide input at three upcoming council meetings:
West End neighborhood meeting: September 26th at 7 p.m. at Albert Harris Elementary
City council meeting: September 27 at 7 p.m. at the municipal building
City council meeting: October 11 at 7 p.m. at the municipal building