Montgomery Sells Old Questplex Building
The City of Montgomery has finally sold the old questplex building at the bottom of Dexter Avenue in downtown.
It was supposed to house an interactive children’s museum, but with that project dead, what’s next?
There are still a lot of unanswered questions.
Mayor Strange says the city is working with the developer to see what can be done.
It’s been almost six months since the city abandoned it’s plans for a children’s museum and library of the future in downtown Montgomery.
The city couldn’t raise enough money to get the project off the ground.
So now the building is in the hands of a company called MarJam.
“They have already purchased a number of properties along Dexter Avenue and we’re still in negotiation for some properties around the Westin Railroad site,” said Strange.
The questplex building was supposed to be an anchor in the new Market District downtown.
Foshee Management is turning parts of lower Dexter into loft apartments, and they’re looking for other businesses to join them.
Mayor Strange says he hopes that the building continues to fit into that plan.
“It’s important that we move forward with 1 dexter because it’s a significant building and they have some good vision. Hopefully within the next 30,45 days we’ll be able to share that vision, they will be able to share that vision because we’re very supportive,” said Mayor Strange.
Now that it’s sold, Mayor strange says the city no longer owns any of the property along lower Dexter.
That’s been an important part of revitalizing the area, and the city’s tourism department hopes for more than just office space.
“You know it’s hard to say right now not knowing what the developer has in mind for the property, but we hope to see some things, if you look in the market district and all the things planned for that area they’re good for visitors and residents alike. We’re hoping the new owners of the questplex building will do the same thing,” said Dawn Hathcock, vice president of the city’s convention and visitor bureau.
Mayor Strange says the city sold the building for about 3 million dollars, which is roughly what they paid for it using grant money.
