Historic Civil Rights Building Could Be Torn Down ATLANTA, GA (WABE) - After desegregation and the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Lester Maddox said he would close his doors before he'd serve blacks.

When, in protest, groups of African-Americans showed up, he did just that.

Now, Georgia Tech wants to tear it down. Spokeswoman Lisa Grovenstein says the building is out of code and would better serve the campus as green space.

"You look at the type of the building it is it's a one story very small building that really doesn't lend itself to the types of buildings that best serve our campus needs at this point in time," she said.

At a recent public meeting, historic preservationists including those from the state argued the building is central to Atlanta's civil rights heritage.

The Board of Regents will decide the building's fate at its next meeting.

Jim Burress, WABE News
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