Apparently, according to Will Goldsmith in today’s C-Ville:
“I have no doubt that you want a state of the art facility, but there may be some uses of that facility that would be very valuable to the community that would not require a gigantic investment,†said Dennis Rooker at the September 3 Board of Supervisors meeting.
What about using the building to to something like the Mcguffey Art Center?
The city leases the building to the McGuffey Arts Association, which is comprised of approximately forty studio-renting members involved in various forms of art: photography, book arts, sculpture, painting, woodworking and furniture design, stained and leaded glass, calligraphy, textile design and floor cloths, dance, weaving, jewelry, glass blowing, and pottery. Renting members comprise the Board of Directors. Various committees, such as Gallery, House, Graphics, Publicity, and Community Relations, conduct daily management. Although the number of renting members fluctuates from year to year, a critical number of about forty is required for the Center to function as a cooperative. Studio rents paid by these artists to the Association cover all expenses. Associate memberships are offered to artists who do not require studio space but want to exhibit in and sell through the gallery.
Just an idea.
That was one of the ideas that came out of the community workshop but was not considered to be the most popular use of the building by members of the Crozet community who participated.
While it may not be the most popular, perhaps it’s a feasible one, or a temporary use while we wait for government/economy to have discretionary funds.
What do you think?
It seems a shame to allow the building to deteriorate and sit empty when it could be a marvelous asset to the community. Who is the legal owner of the land and building? Albemarle County? Could management of the site be given to an appointed board of trustees who could mount a capital campaign to fund building renovations and start up costs for a community center with county funds dedicated to sustain the operation once it opens? Obviously Crozet residents would prefer full funding for the facility right from the start, but if the board of supervisors is not supportive, this could be another path to creating a community center. In addition, the building is ideally located for the purpose, has sidewalks, and fits with downtown development plans. It would be a great complement to the new library.
Consider Lisa Marshall’s letter to the editor in the September Gazette. The old Crozet School building should be what it is built to be– A SCHOOL! The current growth is sure to overflow the new Crozet School in no time, and turning the old school into a lower elementary school would be the perfect solution.
The children could the new school’s facilities, gym, etc. by crossing the street. Building a pedestrian overpass (or hiring a fulltime crossing guard even) would be FAR FAR less expensive than the inevitable price of building another elementary school in Western Albemarle. And like the C-ville article reports, the only the wrong with the Crozet School is its lack of central air, but it’s functioned perfectly well from its beginning without it. I was an elementary student there back in the day and loved it.
Read her letter for even more reasons.