Save the Arts Center Building
As many are aware, the Kirksville Arts Center caught fire and suffered extensive damage on the evening of December 2nd, 2016. The building, owned by the local non-profit Kirksville Arts Association (KAA), has quickly been condemned by the City after the fire. However, the community would like the KAA to thoroughly examine all options before agreeing to tear down the historic building, as it may be possible to save and preserve it. Throughout history, many historic buildings have been brought back to life after extensive fires. It is possible.
I am asking for the community to help donate money that will specifically be used to hire professional and experienced historic preservation consultants and structural engineers to examine the building's structural stability and plan future steps of a possible renovation and recovery. This money will be given to the KAA with the intended use to be put towards the selection of these professionals. This would be the first logical step toward saving the building.
If a selected consultant and/or engineer concludes that the building is structurally sound enough for renovation, the KAA may weigh the options of renovation vs. demolishing. Often it is very costly to demolish a building. What if the cost of demolishing the building could have been put toward a loan to renovate and save the building instead? Not only would Kirksville be saving a piece of its history and character, but the renovation would create construction jobs to help contribute to the local economy. The building would also be eligible for state and federal historic tax credits that can be utilized to significantly assist in the financing of a possible renovation.
Kirksville, this is our only downtown. It's the one defining physical feature of the community. It's rich with history that defines who we are as a community and what we value. If we do not step up and try to preserve the soul of our community, we will lose our identity that sets us apart from the rest of this world. Do not just sit by and watch it crumble around us. We must do anything and everything we can to preserve our one and only downtown. We remember the Cochran Building. We remember the Miller Building. We remember the Kennedy Theater. Let's save this building so Kirksville will have one less to remember.
In the event that the Arts Center Building is demolished before an engineer is available to examine the building, the money will still be donated to the KAA.
Thank you.
I am asking for the community to help donate money that will specifically be used to hire professional and experienced historic preservation consultants and structural engineers to examine the building's structural stability and plan future steps of a possible renovation and recovery. This money will be given to the KAA with the intended use to be put towards the selection of these professionals. This would be the first logical step toward saving the building.
If a selected consultant and/or engineer concludes that the building is structurally sound enough for renovation, the KAA may weigh the options of renovation vs. demolishing. Often it is very costly to demolish a building. What if the cost of demolishing the building could have been put toward a loan to renovate and save the building instead? Not only would Kirksville be saving a piece of its history and character, but the renovation would create construction jobs to help contribute to the local economy. The building would also be eligible for state and federal historic tax credits that can be utilized to significantly assist in the financing of a possible renovation.
Kirksville, this is our only downtown. It's the one defining physical feature of the community. It's rich with history that defines who we are as a community and what we value. If we do not step up and try to preserve the soul of our community, we will lose our identity that sets us apart from the rest of this world. Do not just sit by and watch it crumble around us. We must do anything and everything we can to preserve our one and only downtown. We remember the Cochran Building. We remember the Miller Building. We remember the Kennedy Theater. Let's save this building so Kirksville will have one less to remember.
In the event that the Arts Center Building is demolished before an engineer is available to examine the building, the money will still be donated to the KAA.
Thank you.
Organizer
Chayton True
Organizer
Kirksville, MO