Packwood sells New Deal-era community building at auction

Packwood?s former community building, constructed under a New Deal program, was sold at auction Jan. 28.

The building has not been used by the city since 2004, when a new fire station, with a community room, was built.

After sitting empty more than a year, the building at 122 N. Main St. was rented by Gary Cahill and Cheryl Newman. They purchased the building for $9,800.

?This way we don?t have to insure it and maintain it,? said Packwood Mayor Dave Dickey. ?We get it back on the tax rolls.?

According to ?Packwood and Its People,? a publication commemorating the town?s centennial, the former city hall was built between 1940-1941 with a grant through the National Youth Administration. The NYA was a New Deal program implemented by Franklin D. Roosevelt and in operation from 1935-1943.

The book states 73 percent of the building?s $6,144 cost was covered by the NYA. The value of city equipment and supplies already on hand reduced Packwood?s actual cash contribution to the project.

Approximately 75 percent of the NYA funding paid for youth labor. The project began with eight boys and expanded to a crew of 30.

The 30-foot by 60-foot structure was built with concrete blocks made by the boys in a building adjacent to Packwood Lumber Co. Dickey said the city still owns the machine used to form those concrete blocks.

The building consisted of a ground floor with an auditorium and stage and a full basement.

In 1973, the facility was no longer being used for council meetings or to store a fire truck, and the building was refurbished.

At that time, Dickey said the floors were refinished, the walls insulated, ceiling installed and building air-conditioned. The large main floor was divided into rooms, including the installation of a kitchen and bathroom.

Dickey said the city has not yet determined how funds from the building?s sale will be spent.