Historical marker is seen in front of Pell City City Hall, where the city council met in chambers for their regular work session and council meeting.  Photo by Ellen Sowa.

Volunteers with the Pell City Area Habitat for Humanity are donating time and labor to help restore and maintain the Mays House, located at Lakeside Park in Pell City. 

“Our goal is the protect the Mays House from further deterioration,” Pell City Mayor Bill Pruitt said at the City Council meeting Monday evening. “There is no obvious best choice on what to do (with the house), but we can’t keep passing the buck.”

John Rickards, current President of the Pell City Area Habitat for Humanity, said the Mays House is structurally sound, though vandals have broken a few windows. The wheelchair ramp will temporarily be removed in an effort to stop vandals from having access to the porch and doors.

“There are bricks, old blocks, and other debris around, so there are a lot of opportunities for cleanup,” said Rickards.

Volunteers have begun pressure washing and will begin painting the first floor exterior of the Mays House next week. Benjamin Moore has donated paint and Home Depot has donated supplies for the effort.

The Mays House will also be included in Pell City’s upcoming spring-cleaning. 

Pruitt, along with other Pell City leaders, are organizing a city-wide cleanup day on April 22. Volunteers will be cleaning up right-of-way areas, lending additional help painting and clearing debris from the Mays House, and the Pell City High School football team will be planting shade trees along the walking track at Lakeside Park. 

Roll off dumpsters will also be set up on 19th Street South at the Boys and Girls Club on April 21, 22 and 23 for residents to dispose of household items, old tires, and other large trash items. Disposal of paint and commercial business waste is restricted. 

“We have had a very positive response,” Pruitt said. “We are conducting the city-wide cleanup to show pride in our city.”

Volunteers interested in the city-wide cleanup on April 22, can visit the Street Department at 417 19th Street South. Volunteers will need to sign up at the Boys and Girls Club by 7 a.m. 

Click here to read more about the Pell City Area Habitat for Humanity. 

For more information about donating to the Pell City Area Habitat for Humanity or volunteering, call 205-338-9855, email habitatpellcity@gmail.com or visit www.habitat.org.