AGENDA #5b
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TO: |
Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager |
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FROM: |
Ray L. “Butch” Kisiah, Director of Parks & Recreation |
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SUBJECT: |
Update on the Lincoln Arts Center |
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DATE: |
October 8, 2007 |
This report provides information concerning the pending relocation of the Lincoln Arts Center
In 1976 the Town executed an agreement with the Chapel Hill/Carrboro City Schools that provided for the lease of certain school facilities to the Town for a period of 30 years. The Town agreed to expend funds to pay for construction and renovation of facilities and to provide maintenance of some facilities. One of the facilities covered in the lease agreement is the Lincoln Arts Center on Merritt Mill Road.
In the early 1990s the Town returned about half of the leased Art Center building to the Chapel Hill/Carrboro City Schools for use as a Head Start program facility.
On November 4, 2006, the Town received a petition requesting that the pottery program be continued and expanded.
The current agreement is scheduled to end on December 31, 2007. The Chapel hill/Carrboro City School System has notified the Town that the Lincoln Arts building will be utilized for the Phoenix School. However, the School System is allowing the Town to continue to use the facility until June, 2008.
The Lincoln Art Center is a 2,500 square-foot facility located on Merritt Mill Road that is used by the Parks and Recreation Department for youth and adult pottery classes. The building contains enough space for three kilns, eight pottery wheels, table space, drying shelves, and storage. The building was specially modified to allow venting of gases during kiln firings.
As previously reported, staff has investigated finding a suitable space for the programs at the Lincoln Arts Center within existing town and other local government buildings. We have found one location, the basement of the Town’s Department of Public Housing administrative building on Caldwell Street that is available. However, this space is only approximately 1200 square feet. The Town would be required to pay the Housing Authority some monthly rental fee that is to be determined, as we understand Federal requirements for HUD funding.
The Parks and Recreation Director has met with the Friends of the Lincoln Arts Center organization to discuss what options may be available and what they would like to see in a new facility. This group has prepared a list of criteria for the space needs that includes square footage, access by public transit, available parking and safety/security. Their recommendation is for a space smaller than the current Lincoln Arts Center, but larger than the space at the Department of Public Housing administrative building. The group has stated its desire for the Town to either lease/purchase or build a suitable facility.
Parks and Recreation staff is searching for a new home for the pottery program. We are searching for about 2,000 square feet of floor space, based on what we believe is required for a successful program. In addition to searching for available public space, including discussions with the Orange County Arts Commission and the UNC Ackland Art Museum, we are also considering options for private commercial space. We are also looking at possible modifications to existing Town facilities, including additions to existing buildings and the possibility of a new building. The Town has additional needs that could be met in a new facility, including a variety of art studios, classrooms and performance spaces.
We hope to be able to report back to Town Council on the availability of space and associated costs by January, 2008.