On the same night that Auburn became the new home of the Georgia Piedmont Arts Center, the Auburn City Council voted to purchase one of the city’s historic structures for a future cultural arts facility.
The pair of unanimous votes April 1 was the culmination of months of planning and negotiations to bring the arts in a big way to Auburn’s small downtown.
City leaders plan for the artists and other groups to eventually operate out of a renovated, 18,000-square-foot Auburn Cultural Art Center on College Street.
And they hope the new hub of community activity to include an after-school program will draw more people downtown and will enhance economic development.
“The council has explored the effects of the arts and after-school programs that are offered in cities through partnerships with other institutions,” said Mayor Linda Blechinger in response to questions from the newspaper.
This old house at 1396 Third Ave. in downtown Auburn is the new home of the Georgia Piedmont Arts Center, which formerly operated out of downtown Winder. Though basic renovations to make it habitable were under way this week, the artists Tuesday night held a meeting inside and said they planned to offer the first painting class Wednesday – on a porch where natural sunlight would suffice until power to the building is restored. Photo by Jessica Brown
Auburn is new home of Georgia Piedmont Arts Center
“These programs look a little different in each city, which appeals to us because while cities share some common needs, we believe that each city also has a unique life, so to speak.
“We look forward to partnering with the artists, Auburn Elementary, Lanier Tech, and the Barrow County School Board along with Barrow County Family Connections to have a very successful program that will help our citizens grow and thrive in Auburn,” Blechinger said.
She said supporting economic growth downtown is vital to the future of the city.
“Offering classes for arts, music, GED, and English as a Second Language is just the beginning. When people have a reason to come downtown, our businesses benefit.”
TWO DEALS STRUCK
In the first vote at last week’s meeting, the council agreed to lease for $200 per month a small building at 1396 Third Ave.
The one-year lease is with the Fine Arts Alliance of Barrow Inc, which operates the Georgia Piedmont Arts Center. Local artists will teach classes at the Third Avenue facility until the larger art center on College Street opens.
The council’s second vote was to approve the purchase of that vacant warehouse property adjacent to Auburn Elementary School.
The three-story structure is on 1.8 acres and is owned by John E. Withers. It was built nearly a century ago as a dormitory for a women’s college and later was used as a warehouse by R & R Manufacturing Inc.
The property recently was appraised for $430,000. The city government will provide Withers with $315,000 in cash and a letter recognizing the remaining $115,000 of the sales price as his gift to the city.
The sale is contingent on the building’s future use as a cultural arts center and on a structural engineer’s certification that the building is sound, said city attorney Jack Wilson.
Renovation expenses are expected to bring the project’s cost to more than $1 million.
Auburn officials plan to pay for the renovations with $250,000 in current and future SPLOST revenues and from the proceeds of a $500,000 grant through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
“They felt like we meet all the criteria and stand a very, very good chance of getting it,” Blechinger said.
The city just missed the 2010 grant application deadline last week but will apply next year, she said.
FUNDING SOURCES
The cash for the purchase of the College Street property will come from the city’s General Fund reserves, which after the sale will amount to $2.3 million, Blechinger said.
That is down from $2.8 million at the end of fiscal year 2009.
The mayor said the cash reserves would not be allowed to drop below a three-month operating cushion.
Once the site is purchased and renovated as a cultural arts center, the city also will be responsible for operating and maintaining it.
“We believe there will be a need for a staff person to run the facility,” Blechinger said. “However, we will not look to hire anyone until the building is ready for operation.”
She said revenues from classes and events at the building should cover the operating costs.
A pro forma provided at the council meeting showed the art center would have a net operating income of about $74,000 annually.
In other business April 1, the city council also approved the purchase of two new signs for the R.H. Burel Park downtown. That $2,800 expense also is to be paid from SPLOST revenues.
“We look forward to partnering with the artists, Auburn Elementary, Lanier Tech, and the Barrow County School Board along with Barrow County Family Connections to have a very successful program that will help our citizens grow and thrive in Auburn,” Blechinger said.
She said supporting economic growth downtown is vital to the future of the city.
“Offering classes for arts, music, GED, and English as a Second Language is just the beginning. When people have a reason to come downtown, our businesses benefit.”
TWO DEALS STRUCK
In the first vote at last week’s meeting, the council agreed to lease for $200 per month a small building at 1396 Third Ave.
The one-year lease is with the Fine Arts Alliance of Barrow Inc, which operates the Georgia Piedmont Arts Center. Local artists will teach classes at the Third Avenue facility until the larger art center on College Street opens.
Auburn’s city council on April 1 voted to spend $315,000 to purchase this old brick structure that was built as a dormitory for a women’s college and later used by R & R Manufacturing Inc. as a warehouse. When it is renovated, the building will become the Auburn Cultural Arts Center and include a first-floor community center to be used for an after-school program and other activities. Photo by Jessica Brown
The three-story structure is on 1.8 acres and is owned by John E. Withers. It was built nearly a century ago as a dormitory for a women’s college and later was used as a warehouse by R & R Manufacturing Inc.
The property recently was appraised for $430,000. The city government will provide Withers with $315,000 in cash and a letter recognizing the remaining $115,000 of the sales price as his gift to the city.
The sale is contingent on the building’s future use as a cultural arts center and on a structural engineer’s certification that the building is sound, said city attorney Jack Wilson.
Renovation expenses are expected to bring the project’s cost to more than $1 million.
Auburn officials plan to pay for the renovations with $250,000 in current and future SPLOST revenues and from the proceeds of a $500,000 grant through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
“They felt like we meet all the criteria and stand a very, very good chance of getting it,” Blechinger said.
The city just missed the 2010 grant application deadline last week but will apply next year, she said.
FUNDING SOURCES
The cash for the purchase of the College Street property will come from the city’s General Fund reserves, which after the sale will amount to $2.3 million, Blechinger said.
That is down from $2.8 million at the end of fiscal year 2009.
The mayor said the cash reserves would not be allowed to drop below a three-month operating cushion.
Once the site is purchased and renovated as a cultural arts center, the city also will be responsible for operating and maintaining it.
“We believe there will be a need for a staff person to run the facility,” Blechinger said. “However, we will not look to hire anyone until the building is ready for operation.”
She said revenues from classes and events at the building should cover the operating costs.
A pro forma provided at the council meeting showed the art center would have a net operating income of about $74,000 annually.
In other business April 1, the city council also approved the purchase of two new signs for the R.H. Burel Park downtown. That $2,800 expense also is to be paid from SPLOST revenues.
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