Whitehurst Building officially dedicated (WITH PHOTO GALLERY)

With just the right amounts of pomp and ceremony, a former manufacturing facility and one-time church was officially dedicated Tuesday evening as the city’s George H. Whitehurst Municipal Building. No one was prouder or held his head higher that night than the facility’s namesake, Crestview’s longest-serving mayor.

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Located on Stillwell Boulevard in Old Spanish Trail Park, part of the Whitehurst Building was renovated to house the Crestview Police Department, based on plans drawn up by Lt. Jamie Grant of the police’s Investigations Division.

Shortly after the city acquired the building from CitiChurch, which moved farther east on Stillwell Boulevard, “It became apparent that it is a great place to house the Crestview Police Department under one roof for the first time in many years,” said Mayor David Cadle in his opening remarks.

The dedication and ribbon cutting was held in the building’s centerpiece Warriors Hall, a multi-purpose assembly room that was formerly a church sanctuary. The hall is available for civic and private organizations to rent for gatherings and meetings.

The final third of the building, currently being used for storage, is designated for future use as an as-yet undetermined public recreational facility, said Crestview City Council member Linda Parker.

As host for the evening, Cadle praised the city workers and inmate labor who performed much of the construction, saving the city thousands of dollars

“We accomplished this using local merchants and vendors for all the equipment for this building,” Cadle said, noting the renovation of the building was done under budget.

“We like to hear that,” commented city council President Bob Allen.

“When it became time for the city council to select a name for this building, the name of former Mayor George H. Whitehurst was put forward immediately,” Cadle said. Whitehurst had been an early advocate of the city acquiring the building, Cadle added. “George Whitehurst was always looking to the future…and he knew growth was coming to the city.”

In his remarks, Whitehurst said he hadn’t been in the building that now bears his name since renovations began early this year.

“I came by this afternoon and I couldn’t hardly believe what was going on,” Whitehurst said. “I am standing here right now and thanking everyone responsible for this building. It is a great asset to the city.”

Whitehurst also praised Mayor Cadle and the city council, saying, “our community is very fortunate to have city officials who work hard to continue to make improvements so we can have a better quality of life.”

Before being joined by his wife, Annelle, family members, friends and city leaders for the official ribbon cutting, Whitehurst observed, “This building can certainly enhance the safety and services for the people of Crestview.

“I am honored to have my name placed on this building,” Whitehurst concluded.

GEORGE H. WHITEHURST

• Established Whitehurst Funeral Home, 1955

• Longest-serving Crestview mayor: 1961-62, 1967-76, 1995-2007

• One of original Chamber of Commerce founders, 1956

• Obtained appropriation to build Industrial Drive

• Proactive in Community Development Block Grant program

• Procured funding for two fire department substations and Public Safety Building

• Initiated drive for elevated security lights at I-10 and S.R. 85

• Coordinated county Millennium celebration

• Initiated drive for Veteran’s Memorial and raised funds

• Secured 15 acres at no cost to the city for library and community center

• Helped raise funds for new Chamber of Commerce building