By Sarrah Peters
News Editor
Downtown Gadsden will soon receive a new clock to be located on Broad Street.
In the early 1900s, a clock tower was located at the courthouse on 4th and Court streets. In later years, clocks at 3rd street and 6th street provided the time for visitors downtown. With all the clocks demolished over time, it is only fitting to place a new clock as a downtown timepiece.
“I’ve always wanted one,” said Kay Moore of Downtown Gadsden, Inc. “I thought it would be great for Gadsden to have a clock.”
Moore actually had kept a picture of a clock on her desk as inspiration for a clock in downtown Gadsden, which she showed to Jane Miles when she approached Moore about raising money for a clock.
Miles, who owns property downtown, recently raised the money to fund the purchase of the clock. She began raising $25,000 for the project in February.
“She loves downtown,” said Moore about Miles. “She wants downtown to be a beautiful place, a place where people like to come. So she took it on herself to raise the money to purchase this clock.”
The clock is described as a 15 foot 8 inch tall, four sided clock. The clock has been ordered and is almost finished being built by East Bay Clock Company in northern Florida.
“It’s a very nice clock,” said Moore.
The clock was originally $18,000, but was purchased at a discount. The money raised will cover the delivery, installation and wiring of the clock, as well.
The clock should be installed by the end of May, according to Moore.
The location has not been determined for the clock yet, but decision has been narrowed down to only a few options. The final decision on the location will be determined by the city, but Downtown Gadsden, Inc. has offered suggestions.
“We are going to find the perfect spot to put it,” said Moore.
The money raised by Miles will also be used to make additional improvements in downtown Gadsden, including lights for trees and flowers on curbs and around poles on Broad Street.
“She wants to colorize downtown with flowers,” said Moore. “She has all kinds of different ideas. The more money we raise, the more we can do.”