American_legion_March24.JPG

The American Legion building in downtown Mobile has been vacant for years. But an agreement, reached between the American Legion Post 3 and 1857 Foundation, will lead to its restoration. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com).

Ken McElhaney has operated an insurance company on Government Street in Mobile for 23 years. And during that time, he's had an eyesore next door.

But the hulking 1850s-era American Legion hall might have another life in it. This week, officials with the American Legion have been applauding a decision to lease the property to a local foundation that has plans on renovating it.

That's music to McElhaney's ears. "From what I know, it's going to be a real asset to the city and thereby to the neighborhood and to me."

A lease agreement dated March 16 transferred the property at 607 Government St. from American Legion Post 3 to the 1857 Foundation Inc. The property, according to a local American Legion Post 3 official, will be owned, operated and restored by the nonprofit 1857 Foundation as the home for one of Mobile's more popular Mardi Gras societies - the Mystics of Time.

In addition, Post 3 - which occupied the building from 1947 until the 1990s - will get to continue using a portion of it for its meetings.

"The American Legion building is in a very good place right now," said Laura Byrne, a spokeswoman with the city.

It's a remarkable change of fortune for the building, which pre-dates the Civil War. It's considered the only building remaining in Mobile that features Italianate elements combined with two-story columns connected by flattened arches with semicircular windows.

A year ago, amid in-fighting among Post 3 officials, the city threatened to demolish the building after declaring it a nuisance property. It had become a home for vagrants, and was plagued by peeling paint and broken windows.

The building caught fire in October, though it was a small blaze that was easily contained by Mobile firefighters.

"It's been a thorn in my side," McElhaney said.

All the while, negotiations were ongoing between Post 3 and the 1857 Foundation.

An attorney representing the non-profit said in May 2016 that the foundation intended a "complete restoration." The estimated cost of the work has been pegged at upward of $1 million.

The attorney representing the 1857 Foundation could not be reached for comment.

Byrne said the 1857 Foundation was able to secure "a million dollars" from its own members, plus over $100,000 from other local foundations. "In short, the Society of 1857 has purchased the property and will restore it to its grandeur."

Capt. Hal Pierce, a Navy veteran and a member of the USS Battleship Memorial Park Commission who was involved in the property transfer, said the approved agreement gives Post 3 a "long-term home" within the building.

As for the 1857 Foundation, he said the group was able to "raise money from tax deductible donations and grants. "The house will be enhanced as the home of the MOT's bringing two historic organizations (together) into a historic Mobile landmark."

Matt Gaff, district commander of the South Alabama American Legion District 33- which includes 11 posts in Mobile and Baldwin counties, said the property transfer was good news for Post 3. The post has been hampered with an aging membership and dwindling numbers for years, and is attempting to attract younger members.

"It's a great opportunity for the American Legion under the circumstances to partner with some of our community leaders in our area to save the Post," said Gaff.