By Carie Canterbury | [email protected] | Canon City Daily Record
Fremont Center for the Arts has asked the City of Cañon City for help purchasing their new home.
The FCA board of directors made the pitch during Monday's city council meeting.
Fremont Center for the Arts currently leases the Post Office, but its lease ends at the end of December. Its board is looking for its new, permanent home and they have their eyes set on the Classic Furniture building at 510 Main St.
"If we go into the Classic Furniture building, that gives us a chance to dream our dreams and have our visions become a reality," said Cathy Finney, FCA board president.
The price of the 19,000-square-foot Classic Furniture building is $700,00 and is owned by Rusty and Debbie Lake.
Rusty Lake said he's had offers from a consignment company and a used tools and car parts company to purchase the building, but he'd prefer to see FCA move in.
"It's retail and that's the only option we have aside from the art center," he said. "We want to see downtown thrive; we don't want to see Classic Furniture vacant. That is a big hole in downtown."
A previous board of directors sold the FCA building, now known as the Post Office and owned by UnbridledACTS, in 2019. Finney said the current board has been working the last five years "to fix a wrong to a right."
"If we are going to be gifted the money for a building, then we are absolutely appreciative," Finney said. "If we were given the grant money to acquire our own building, we would be elated. Whatever has to happen to make sure that FCA continues, that is the board and my goal."
The proposed renovation of Clock Tower Plaza at Third and Main streets came up during Monday's conversation. The city has $600,000 in its budget for a 50/50 matching grant with DOLA where each entity would put in $600,000 for renovations.
"I think that what FCA is proposing to do with this building on Main Street is worth significantly more to the city in terms of creating that sense of place, in terms of giving back to our students, in terms of bringing art and culture to our community," Councilwoman Amy Schmisseur said. "I would hate to see FCA go away, and I think that this sort of partnership where the city is acquiring an asset and then FCA is operating it is a really unique one, and I think it would be worth considerably more than the Clock Tower Plaza renovation, for example."
Mayor Preston Troutman said the FCA's move to Main Street would provide an immediate economic return to the citizens and the downtown area. He said the proposed location would be a draw to the FCA and the downtown.
"I would put off other things just to do this," he said. "...I am very much in favor of this."
Shawn Kauffman, owner and operator of Bugling Elk Vineyards and FCA board member, said if the building purchase goes through, he plans to add two ADA-compliant bathrooms pro bono.
"And I know there are a lot of other people out there that want to come forward to see this thing through," he said. "The mayor mentioned this has value in it; not just a monetary value, there's a long cultural value through art."
The board has been in contact with Fremont County officials regarding financial support and they currently have just over $100,000 in their fundraising campaign. UnbridledACTS also is hosting a Matching Fund for FCA as they transition to a new location. UnbridledACTS will match $1 for $1 up to $25,000 for a total goal of $50,000 through December.
If the city purchases the building, staff recommends collecting rent from FCA.
The next steps include city staff collecting the FCA's financials and bids for renovations, including adding sprinklers and submitting them to the city council for consideration during an executive session.
During the presentation, Finney highlighted FCA's three-year plan, should the building become theirs.
The gallery and frame shop will continue, but in 2025, they hope to add an artist resource center, retail market art supplies, an art lounge/library, studio space, a Thursday Night Market during the summer months and more.
Hours of operation would increase to being open six to seven days per week and three more employees would be added.
Phase 2, in 2026, would include the addition of a makerspace/craft market, an extension of children's programs on Saturdays, an expansion of adult classes, the addition of a visually-impaired gallery, dance and more.
In 2027, the final phase, FCA would expand what's working and develop new programs.