‘HOME’ Finds a New (Temporary) Home

Posted by admin on November 13, 2015
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Posted: Wednesday, November 11, 2015 5:27 pm

The word “HOME” from the “Home of Dan River Fabrics” sign that once topped the White Mill will spend at least six month at the former Downtowner sight once the letters have been refurbished.

The Industrial Development Authority, which owns the site, gave permission for the letters to light up the corner of Main and Union streets during its meeting Tuesday.

Corrie Teague, assistant director of economic development, told IDA members a coalition dubbed “Home Team” were looking for a good location for the letters and felt that currently-unoccupied corner would be a good location.

Home Team is made up of people from the Danville Regional Foundation’s History United initiative, the Danville Historical Society — which owns the letters — and city leaders. Their goal is to find new homes for all of the letters from the sign by loaning them out to businesses, schools and other properties.

The sign will be displayed during the annual Holiday Light Show at Ballou Park, where it will be spotlighted from Dec. 12-27. After the show closes, the sign’s neon will be refurbished so the original red letters will glow in the River District.

The site will not be permanent — there are long-term plans for the site to become part of a block-long parking garage — but could extend beyond the six-month agreement. The word could move to another location in the River District if the parking garage project proceeds.

Originally, the historical society hoped the sign could be returned to the top of the White Mill, but have decided other uses need to be found for the letters while still being a reminder of the city’s mill history.

“We need to rethink and reimagine what the sign can be — and what Danville can be,” Dixon said last week

 

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