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Davidson's Fort board asking for more money

By Mike Conley | The McDowell News

Published: June 10, 2009

Representatives from Davidson's Fort Historic Park asked the county for more money to help them pay off the land and focus more attention on getting the replica fort built.
At the regular Monday meeting, the McDowell County Commissioners heard a request from the members of the Davidson's Fort board. They asked for $6,000 a year for two years in order to make the mortgage payments on 6 acres of land located off of Lackey Town Road in Old Fort.
At a special Wednesday meeting, the commissioners instead agreed to provide up to $4,000 a year for Davidson's Fort. However, whatever amount the county provides would have to be matched by the town of Old Fort. Another requirement is that the money would have to go to a conventional loan on the land, said County Manager Chuck Abernathy.
During Monday's regular meeting, Rick Acrivos, one of the board members, gave an overview of how he and others plan to build a replica of the colonial stockade that gave the town of Old Fort its name. The plan is to build a reconstructed fort like the one originally erected by settler Samuel Davidson in 1776. The fort and its historic park would feature living history programs, displays of colonial and American Indian artifacts, a welcome center and gift shop. It would draw more tourists to Old Fort and boost the local economy, said Acrivos.
But the effort has faced setbacks due to the economic recession. The Davidson Fort's board has held several fund-raisers but has not been able to raise the needed money.
Last week, the directors of the historic park project announced they have had to change their plans. The directors decided they could not purchase the full 22 acres of land located off Lackey Town Road near Janesville Products. They have not been able to get donations due to the bad economy.
"The board members have decided to go with a Plan B, to move the stockade fort to a smaller portion of the land already in possession of board member Gary Jones," said Acrivos. "It is the first six acres closest to the Lackey Town Road."
The Davidson's Fort board has agreed to an adjustable rate loan that will provide them with a two-year window during which they can raise the down payment. They also have several grants that will allow them to continue the construction. Those include a N.C. Rural Center grant of $30,000 that will provide money to build the welcome center. All future money donations will be used to retire the loan.
During the meeting, the directors of Davidson's Fort asked county officials for $12,000 over a period of two years. That money would go towards the down payment on the loan.
"We have a firm plan and it can work in two years," said Acrivos. "We all have money in it and we want it to succeed."
Acrivos said Davidson's Fort Historical Park would be similar to Fort Boonesborough in Kentucky. The original fort was built by explorer Daniel Boone and his men in 1775. The reconstructed Fort Boonesborough is a working stockade with cabins, blockhouses and furnishings. Resident artisans perform craft demonstrations and re-enactors give a true sense of what life was like for pioneers in frontier Kentucky. Each year, 40,000 paying tourists each year visit the historic site. In 2008, it earned $145,000 in ticket sales and $140,000 in museum store sales. Fort Boonesborough has 15 to 20 seasonal employees and two full-time employees, according to Acrivos.
Representatives of Davidson's Fort said they are trying to build the same thing here.
"Davidson's Fort Historic Park will produce substantial tourism influx into Old Fort and McDowell County and from that, small businesses and supporting businesses will flourish with new business, creating scores of new jobs and opportunities," said Acrivos to the commissioners. "The future of Davidson's Fort remains bright. We have started the planning for the immediate construction of the welcome center as well as the fort with a grant received from the Rural Center. We invite you to join us in rebuilding this historic site that will provide a place to reconnect with our past and re-educate everyone on the significance of Davidson's Fort in American history."
On Wednesday, Acrivos said he is disappointed by the commissioners' decision but he and other board members are not giving up. They will ask for help from the town of Old Fort.
"The problem is we don't have a down payment for the conventional loan," said Acrivos about the board's decision. "We were trying to get a two-year window to raise $30,000 for a down payment on a conventional loan. To get the two-year window, we don't want the mortgage payment hanging over our heads.
"Their money would pay for our mortgage and all of our efforts would go toward building the fort and fund-raising. We can't fund raise without people seeing progress in this economic situation we are in now. We are up against the wall now."
Debbie Acrivos, another one of the board's members, said if every person in McDowell contributed just $1 it would get the fort built.
"We need their support now more than ever," she said.