Fairhope, Alabama
BUT PURCHASE IS STILL EXPECTED
According to council president Burrell, the $6.1 million federal Economic Development Administration grant the city applied for last September 5th to purchase and refurbish the old K-1 school on Church Street was not awarded.
If it had been, the grant would have financed 'HATCH Fairhope' a technical business incubator in partnership with the Baldwin County Economic Development Agency.
At the same time, the city council entered into an agreement to purchase the property from the Baldwin County Board of Education for $4 million, $2.5 million was due at closing before December 31st and the balance in yearly installments; but that date had to be pushed back 90 days.
COUNCIL TO CONSIDER OPTIONS
Burrell told the Times the council will have to consider its next steps but thought it would definitely complete the purchase somehow before the March 30th deadline.
It should be possible to pursue other grants for the rehabilitation of the almost 100 year old building; the mayor says enough money was included in this years budget for the purchase if the grant failed to materialize.
Proposals for other parts of the school include a 'Green STEAM School' in partnership with FEEF, local college classroom space, and a performing arts facility; Mayor Wilson has advocated for holding town hall meetings (charrettes) to let citizens propose additional possible uses as well.
BUT PURCHASE IS STILL EXPECTED
According to council president Burrell, the $6.1 million federal Economic Development Administration grant the city applied for last September 5th to purchase and refurbish the old K-1 school on Church Street was not awarded.
If it had been, the grant would have financed 'HATCH Fairhope' a technical business incubator in partnership with the Baldwin County Economic Development Agency.
At the same time, the city council entered into an agreement to purchase the property from the Baldwin County Board of Education for $4 million, $2.5 million was due at closing before December 31st and the balance in yearly installments; but that date had to be pushed back 90 days.
COUNCIL TO CONSIDER OPTIONS
Burrell told the Times the council will have to consider its next steps but thought it would definitely complete the purchase somehow before the March 30th deadline.
It should be possible to pursue other grants for the rehabilitation of the almost 100 year old building; the mayor says enough money was included in this years budget for the purchase if the grant failed to materialize.
Proposals for other parts of the school include a 'Green STEAM School' in partnership with FEEF, local college classroom space, and a performing arts facility; Mayor Wilson has advocated for holding town hall meetings (charrettes) to let citizens propose additional possible uses as well.
Comments
(We have the money). Keep it. (Fairhope needs to protect the old structures.)
We are known as an artsy, quaint city. Property values in downtown area are high because of that persona. What more could support that persona than an educational and entrepreneurial focused endeavor? Parking lot? We have more imagination than that! Hotel? If we tear down all the old/quaint stuff why would folks spend money to visit here? Same people against this are the same folks who complain about the Christmas lights and flowers being too expensive to maintain. Ugh.
Ideas:
1. Consider getting South Alabama and Coastal to pony up some funds for a renovation of part of this. Nothing wrong with Fairhope being more of a college town. Having young, smart, entrepreneurial folks around always keeps things interesting!
2. Consider moving City Hall to this building. The old City Hall complex does nothing for the City architecturally. (who approved that design for gosh sakes back in the day!?) Sell that property to re-imburse the renovation of this facility.
3. Unleash FEEF! What an asset that org is to this community. They'll come up with some funds and wonderful ideas!
Our crown jewels are downtown and the immediate neighborhoods. Protect them please.
Most new developments are abiding by an unwritten rule of design but it needs to be codified. Not sure what folks were thinking back in the old days when Compass Bank and City Hall were built and other "modern" buildings were built but that type of architecture is not what brings the visitors or keeps property values high.