Historic People’s Building Spurs Rocky Mount Revitalization

Constructed as the Rocky Mount Bank building in 1918, the grand architecture of the Historic People’s Building reflected the early prosperity that came from booming tobacco and textile industries. As those industries declined, the building changed hands several times and then stood vacant for 15 years. Like many small cities in North Carolina, Rocky Mount’s center was largely abandoned as businesses and families fled to the suburbs.

Recognizing its potential to spur downtown revitalization, Self-Help purchased the building in 1999. The restoration, completed in 2006, was the first major private investment in downtown Rocky Mount in ten years. During this comprehensive renovation, Self-Help made a special effort to preserve the historic character of this downtown landmark.

The building is now home to several nonprofit organizations, including the Workforce Development and Training Center of Edgecombe Community College, Bridging the Gap of Eastern Carolina, Inc., the Golden LEAF Foundation, and, of course, Self-Help Credit Union. Not only does it provide office space for these community anchors, but it also serves as a visual evidence of civic pride and the rebirth of a once thriving downtown.

These days the city center hums with fresh energy. The Imperial Centre includes an Arts Center, Children’s Museum, theaters, classrooms and exhibit space. The once-rundown train station has been preserved, including fully restored platforms and canopies constructed around 1911. A brand new library is an invaluable resource for the city. Rocky Mount is now actively engaged in strategic planning for further smart growth and downtown development. In the midst of it all, the historic People’s Building, once a haunting reflection of a troubled time, stands as a symbol of Rocky Mount’s former and present vitality.