Cascades Holds Groundbreaking for The Edison

Photo by Te’Andrea Hood
City and county comissioners were joined by other offcials during the ground breaking of the Edison.

By Te’Andrea Hood
Outlook Writer

A groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the start of renovations to the historic electric building known as The Edison was held on Feb. 5 with residents, city and county commissioners attending.

Attendees were given guided tours of the building’s interior before construction crews begin renovations. New restaurant details were shared and a sample of southern dishes were served that will eventually be on the extravagant menu, which officials planned to open this upcoming summer.

“Every day, twice a day I would drive to and from school, telling myself that this is one of the most beautiful buildings here in the city,” said Michael Conn an architecture graduate of Florida A&M University.

Conn is the leading architect under Culpeper Construction for the newly designed historical electric building located in Cascade Park.

The building was the City’s first electric utility building built in 1921. The building, which was named in honor of light bulb inventor Thomas Edison, will undergo its transformation over the next few months.

Officials say it will be a contemporary modern building. Very transparent, because they want to highlight the existing building and give additional space that the restaurant needs.

“The building itself is not a large building, so there will be as much space outside as there is in the inside for sitting,” said Shane A. Moniz, Conn’s business associate.

Moniz helped bring the building back alive, he restored parts of the project by creating a new design for the outside of the restaurant.

The outside will have a modern covered breeze-way with a dinning patio and outdoor bars. It will look very similar to what it has always been. It is structured off the Mozart style of the 1920’s including high romantic arches with many unique designs flowing throughout the restaurant. To preserve the historic history, officials want the building to look like it’s “new antique.” Also, officials want individuals to be able to distinguish the important significance of the historic building.

Wayne Mayo, the vice president of Culpeper Construction said, “The coolest thing about this building is how old it is. We are trying to preserve every historical component this building stands on.”

It will be a seamless structural building with modern technology. We are all extremely excited about the renovation and all that it has to offer.”

“ We almost are all here and can take a vote and if this was a motion, It’s publicly noted that we all declare that this is the Day of the Edison.” said Mayor Andrew Gillum
More than 150 additional jobs will be used to complete this project. The design process has been underway since December 2014.

The Edison will be completed by mid-July, according to officials. A grand opening will be announced at a later date.