Save the South’s First Recording Studio!
The historic recording studio building at 152 Nassau St NW in Downtown Atlanta where jazz, blues, gospel, and country music were recorded in the South is being demolished. These Nassau Street Sessions and the building the temporary warehouse space they took place are of national significance. And in spite of the demolition that’s already occurred, the building remains eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places .
Since May 2017, I have been fighting to save this building. This has included researching its history, writing about its history, speaking in support of its preservation at public meetings, giving educational presentations, hosting advocacy activities, sharing updates on social media, etc.
In spite of nearly 10,000 petition signatures, tons of press, and the unanimous votes of support from the Atlanta Urban Design Commission, Neighborhood Planning Unit M, and the Atlanta City Council, the demolition was unable to be stopped.
In August 2019, a local non-profit took legal action against the City of Atlanta and was able to get a stop work order that temporarily halted demolition. The developer who is demolishing the building subsequently intervened. Unfortunately, the case has since been dismissed and demolition resumed.
On October 25, 2019, I personally took legal action and got a stop work order. A court hearing is scheduled for Friday, November 1st.
This is where I need your help now.
It costs money to fight things out in court. Sometimes a lot of money. I don’t have a lot of money.
Funds raised here will be used exclusively for litigation and directly-related efforts to save 152 Nassau such as on-going research costs, web hosting, printing, etc.
When the building is saved and costs are recovered from the defendant(s), I will provide an update to let you know where those recovered costs are being redirected – most likely to a non-profit preservation organization to assist with education and advocacy around other threatened historic buildings.
Thanks for your support!
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Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Sign the online petition.
Listen to the songs recorded at 152 Nassau Street and subsequent recording sessions elsewhere in Atlanta on Spotify.