‘Save the Harrold’ campaign reimagines historic Millington building (Daily Memphian)

By the time the city acquired the building, portions of the roof and second floor had collapsed. To prevent total loss, the city enlisted SNK Construction to stabilize the historic brick exterior and remove deteriorated interior sections.

This year, a new steel frame will be installed within the preserved brick walls, creating a flexible double-height space while retaining the building’s historic character. Completion is expected early this year.

The effort to save the building actually began in 2024 with Millington Central Middle High School students Montanah Caldwell, Mackenzie Murphy, Cortia Hibbler, and Anthony Fry.

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As part of a speech class project, they lobbied Dakin and the Millington Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

“They said, ‘Buy this building and turn it into something cool,’” Dakin said. “This is really a community-led initiative.”

The students’ voices led to city officials taking action. 

“As a parent with young people in my household, I think a lot about the kind of Millington we’re building for the next generation,” said Millington Alderman Gavin Smith, who also served on the suburb’s Industrial Development Board, the city’s economic development board. “(This project) preserves our history, and it shows our young people that we hear them and that we want safe, welcoming and fun spaces for all ages to enjoy.”

Caldwell and Murphy have since graduated and moved on to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga but are interning with the city on the adaptive reuse project during their breaks.

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“I grew up in that building with my grandparents, eating at Old Timers,” Caldwell said. “I also noticed many others in Millington had memories there like me. My group realized we don’t need to build anything new when we have the perfect project waiting for us.”

The interior of the historic Harrold Building was built in 1911 at 7922 Leroy Boatwright St. in Millington. (Courtesy City of Millington)

Their work in recent months has included visiting with city officials, local businesses and residents to determine what is done with the building.

“While some say the building could be a versatile community event space, others think it could be a homeless shelter or museum,” Murphy said.

They say the feedback they’ve gotten from business owners in or near the historic district has been overwhelmingly positive and full of excitement, with some believing the restoration will undoubtedly increase foot traffic to their businesses.

Over the next several months, the city will collect the ideas and create a redevelopment plan.