Historic Alexander building burns

The old Tuberculosis Hospital, at the former Alexander Human Development Center along Highway 111, caught fire Wednesday night (March 18). By approximately 9:00 PM 17 fire departments from around Central Arkansas were responding to the scene.

The first photo, taken from Kent Drive, shows 

the flames had burned their way through the 

metal roof.

In the second photo, taken Thursday morning, 

you can see sections of the roof are forced up 

and out-of-place.

Photos provided by Shawna Davis.

On Thursday Mayor Paul Mitchell reported the State Fire Marshall was working with the city’s fire chief to determine the cause of the fire.

This building is no stranger to area fire fighters. In 2018 and 2019 it had been used to practice entering burning structures.

Two “New Business” items scheduled for Alexander Council’s Monday night meeting

The Alexander City Council has two items under “New Business” on it’s agenda for the monthly meeting to be held Monday, March 16. One is to discuss the annual Legislative Audit report for 2018, conducted by the Arkansas Joint Auditing Committee. The second is the expected approval of a, “Flood Map Ordinance” required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The meeting will be held at 6:00 PM in the courtroom at city hall. The public is invited to attend.

Alexander officials, others get look at medical marijuana dispensary; will open Saturday

Alexander city officials, investors and others were invited to tour the medical marijuana dispensary that will open soon in the City of Alexander. The dispensary will be operated by the Natural State Medical Group in the former Griffin Leggett Funeral Home, located at the corner of Alexander Road and State Highway 5. The invitation-only event was held Tuesday evening (March 3).

The lobby is decked out with 
chairs and TVs for clients.

The building has undergone a renovation process for the past few months, mostly to the inside. After passing the first layer of electronic security, which starts at the front door, clients will be greeted to a waiting area. After being allowed past an electronically secured inside door clients will enter the sales area where various medical marijuana products will be displayed in cases of glass and chrome.

Since Monday Natural State Medical Group has received the documentation from the State necessary to purchase product. In an e-mail Dr. James Adametz, one of the investors in Natural State Medical Group, said now that product has been ordered, “We are aiming for opening Saturday (March 7) after 1 pm.”

Guests crowded in front of the empty display
cases which will hold medical marijuana products.