Group fighting to prevent landmark's demolition

WINNSBORO, SC (WIS) - A non-profit in Winnsboro is trying to do anything and everything it can to save a beloved landmark from being bulldozed.

The group, Friends of the Mt. Zion Institute (FOMZI), is fighting to save the Mt. Zion Institute, which is part of a historic property that dates back to the Revolutionary War and the town's founding.

The building is abandoned. It was property of the town, but Mayor Roger Gaddy told WIS the town deeded it to the group for 18 months to stabilize it.

He said that deadline has come and gone and the building still needs a lot of work.

Meanwhile, FOMZI is still trying to get a developer to come in and revamp the building – even though other attempts to do that over the years have not been successful.
 
"We need more time, but we understand there are some developers who are expressing interest. We would like for the town to allow us the time. Those people have to pull the numbers together. They have to decide if they can afford if this is the right thing. We have some ideas and prospects that may work out," said Pelham Lyles, a member of the group.

The group has cleaned up and beautified a portion of the building

However, the mayor said if a developer doesn't come in soon with an open checkbook, the town will likely demolish the old school.

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