Two deteriorated buildings are about to be demolished in an effort to create more parking in downtown Fayette. The vacant brick structure on Morrison Street that formerly housed a bakery and restaurant, along with the adjacent storefront to the west, will be purchased by Central Methodist University. Sonja Allen-King, the building’s owner, and the university plan to officially close on the deal on Friday, January 7.

The project will raze most of the buildings on the block between an alley and Linn Street. Only the building on the block’s westernmost end will remain. It currently houses Ma’s Discount Hooch, which opened in the summer of 2020, following major building renovations.

The university is also about to demolish nearly a block of buildings on the west side of the square in order to erect a new building that will feature ground-level storefronts while housing up to 72 students on the upper two floors.

The demolition of the building on Morrison Street will not only make way for parking but will allow workers tearing down and rebuilding the west side of the square more adequate room to operate. Once completed, the parking will be open to students and the public.

The announcement came during the December 28 regular meeting of the Fayette city council. Local businessman J.B. Waggoner, who was instrumental in obtaining the buildings on the square, and Julee Sherman, CMU’s Vice President for Finance and Administration, asked the council for permission to go ahead with the proposed demolition. While council members generally showed their willingness to grant the approval, they will wait until their next meeting on January 11 to potentially approve a new ordinance.