By Matt de Simone
At long last, official construction has begun moving along in downtown Fincastle. On Thursday, demolition work began on the historic Dodd Building.
Moving forward, the county is looking towards the main structure of the old Botetourt County Courthouse for its next phase of demolition work. The courthouse is currently being cleared of any asbestos along with the first, second, and third floor ceiling tiles, floor tiles, walls, and HVAC being hauled out.
“Hopefully at the beginning of May, we’ll start on the north side of the old courthouse or the back side of the old courthouse and start very slowly demolishing it from there,” County Capital Projects Manager Rich Evans said last Thursday.
The Dodd Building stood off of Route 220 in Fincastle’s downtown area. Built in the early 1900s, it was originally designed as a commercial building, serving as a hub for local businesses. Over the years, it has housed various establishments, including offices and retail spaces. The building is named after the Dodd family, who were prominent figures in Fincastle’s development during the early 20th century.
The building was particularly significant due to its architectural style. Its design included elements typical of early 20th century commercial architecture, with large windows and a distinctive façade.
