Five Minute Friday’s word prompt for today.
This is a story about pace (speed) and pacing (anxiety). It’s about digging deep for patience when everything inside says MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN! It’s a story of a community loving its neighbors even when things are unlovely. About creativity and focus. Walking away and deep breaths. Not giving up.
And finally, more creativity and focus.
It’s a story of success—happening now!
START
Eighteen years ago when I moved to our small town in East Tennessee, I paid little attention to the old downtown. There was little to see. Buildings were mostly abandoned.
It was a typical small-town story.
“Progress” had meant moving toward the newly-built four lane a few blocks away.
But one day I noticed construction and thought MAYBE.
Unfortunately, it didn’t take long before I thought NO WAY . . . and finally
WHO LET THIS HAPPEN?
May 2012
What was once a pair of simple one-story buildings on a mainstreet thoroughfare had grown into a monstrosity of two-story proportions. Unfortunately, the pace at which the building(s) went from “new business in town” to eyesore was amazingly fast—and it stayed that way for over a decade.
The two one-story buildings to the right of the tall one were combined. 😏
Last known photo of the “building on the left” before the façade was changed.
Slowly deteriorating a bit more every day.
June 2014
We came up with plans. (Think “lipstick on a pig.”) For the past five years we tried to make something happen.
July 2015
But it never did . . . until recently.
The building sold.
Did you hear me singing the Hallelujah Chorus? Surely you did!
And now the long-awaited demolition is in progress. The pace is slow and steady. I’d love it to be faster, but progress doesn’t happen overnight.
July 24, 2019
August 6, 2019
August 23, 2019 – today!
STOP
I’m on the board of Mossy Creek Foundation, and we received a $100,000 façade grant from the state of Tennessee. Eight properties (including this one) are in the process of improving the exterior aesthetics of their buildings.
The pace on that has been slow, too, but we’re moving forward!
Considering where we started a few years ago, we’re doing great! And ever since we built and dedicated Mossy Creek Station, downtown has become a go-to location for lots of memory-making.
Progress doesn’t have to erase history.
Do you like visiting historic downtowns as much as I do? What are your favorites? Please tell me in the comments. I’d like to check them out for ideas!
I’m joining Five Minute Friday where we’re encouraged to write for five minutes using a one-word prompt. Every week’s an adventure!
You know I love this one! But then I love them all.
Wanted you to see the latest!
How fun! I love seeing old downtowns and seeing how they evolve.
this was so different than I thought it would be. interesting a building and it’s pacing makes such an impact.
No, this wasn’t the obvious “slow your pace”, “pace yourself” etc. post, was it? I like to mix things up somethings. 😉 Thanks for stopping by, Annette!
Wow, took me a while to understand that the anxiety pacing you referred to was as in pacing up and down, when to me, pacing is a very positive word about taking necessary breaks! So mine is a very different post to yours this week.
But isn’t it great that a prompt word can take us in so many creative directions?
Your FMF Neighbour #35
Liz, thanks for stopping by and commenting. There are definitely a lot of definitions (and nuances) to the word PACE. And yes, it’s great that a single word can open up so much creativity!