The 19th Century Yates Mill was nearly destroyed in 1996 when flood waters from Hurricane Fran breached the dam, collapsing the sawmill wing of the structure.   Renowned historic structural preservation engineer David Fischetti, PE, engaged Mark Williard to assist in documention and reconstruction plans for the historic mill, leading to its complete rehabilitation.

Williard was later commissioned by Wake County to design a new visitor and historic education center nearby on the lake (Refer to the AE Finley Education and Research Center project page).