After more than five years of ceaseless work by scores of dedicated volunteers, the West Central Illinois Arts Center is closer than ever to reality. A suitable location in the Macomb Downtown, which most recently housed the Maurice’s department store, has been identified as offering a connection with the region’s proud past while offering tremendous potential for the future. The WCIAC Board has attempted many times to negotiate with the property owner to acquire or lease the property, but our efforts have been stymied. The upcoming auction of this property opens the door to the best opportunity we are likely to be presented to move this project forward. Following is the proposed plan for the final realization of this project:

Secure the building

The Board has, through extraordinary efforts, liquidated two properties donated to the organization to obtain seed money for the acquisition of the Downtown property. With the demolition of the buildings and improvement of the properties, an added benefit has been the beautification of the west side of the City of Macomb. Local banks were willing to step forward to make this step possible. The final result was better than many hoped, yielding $40,000.00 of seed money which would serve as the springboard for a capital campaign. The impending auction of the Macomb Downtown properties has disrupted the timeline the Board had envisioned to engage in such a campaign, causing an acceleration of the organization’s plans.

The owners of the former Maurice’s building at one time expressed a willingness to negotiate, but failed to come to the table when the time came. Since this project began, this historically significant building has remained essentially empty while slowly deteriorating. The condition of the building as it currently sits is nearly beyond the scope of any retail or rental owner because of the neglect the building has suffered. The best hope to keep from having a major hole in the Macomb Downtown is for a not-for-profit or public/private partnership to occupy, improve and bring economic life to the building. A package of funding using the WCIAC’s seed money, a commercial bank loan, low interest loans from Prairie Hills RC&D and/or the City of Macomb, grants and an aggressive capital campaign should enable the Board to successfully bid to secure the building desired.

Phase 1 - Establishing a Presence

Within a few weeks of securing the Regional Arts Center site, the WCIAC could be up and running. The first floor, which was used for retail sales, is still in relatively good condition. A number of events, like the “Holiday Arts Center” during the 2005 Dickens on the Square, were set up in less than a week. With cleanup by volunteers and a minimum investment in improvements, a gallery space and at least one classroom space for music, art, and drama education could be in productive use.

The first income stream to be established would be an art gallery and storefront for the display and sale of works by regional artists. The WCIAC will receive a percentage (to be determined) of the sales of all art sold through the Regional Arts Center. These dollars, combined with proceeds from education courses and lessons and rents from commercial space, will be the initial income stream and will fuel development of the balance of the project. A number of grants, such as an Illinois Tourism Grant, will be sought to accelerate the pace of development.

Once a presence is established, the short-term plan is to “subdivide” the first floor, keeping at least half of the floor space for the Regional Arts Center’s immediate needs. The subdivision will allow the Board to seek out a complementary retail business to locate in the first floor and establish a cash flow stream that can be relied upon for future development. One retail business is currently operating in the building and would immediately begin paying rent to the WCIAC.

The most pressing known need for the building is a new roof. Recent repairs by the current owner have rendered the building usable for the developments of Phase 1, but the emphasis of early fundraising and grant applications must be the replacement of the current roof with a new membrane type roof to protect the investment of the Board’s partners.

Phase 2 – Exterior

In order to create a “buzz” surrounding the establishment of the Regional Arts Center, the metal façade put on the building during the 1960’s should be removed. A low interest loan is available from the City of Macomb to do this. Conversations with various elected officials have established a great desire on the part of the City to have this take place, so it is reasonable to assume that favorable terms can be arrived at through negotiations.

At this time, architectural drawings for the balance of the redevelopment will need to be secured in order to best determine layout of future items such as an elevator and independent HVAC units for the three floors. This would also be the time to consider reconfiguring the front of the building to allow secure ground-level access to the second floor for future users of the facilities to be designed under Phase 3.

Phase 3 – Second Floor Studio Space

Depending on the level of fundraising combined with rentals and sales revenues, within one year of securing the site it is the Board’s intent to move on to the renovation of the second floor of the building. The intended use of the second floor is studio space, additional classrooms, and rehearsal areas for a wide variety of artistic disciplines.

The second floor is in adequate shape to begin rehabilitation in a limited way in short order. The majority of the floor space is already open. A number of electrical and HVAC items will have to be moved as they were run over the second floor to serve the first.

Within six months to a year after beginning the second floor renovation, it is projected that limited use of the second floor could be undertaken. Studios and spaces of various sizes can be laid out in such a way as to avoid hindering future development. While the second floor will not initially be accessible by those with special needs, a street level walk up entrance can be established to allow use by artist/renters of the studio space establishing yet more cash flow for re-investment.

It is assumed that at some point between the development of the third and fourth phases installation of an elevator or lift system will need to be pursued in order that everyone in the area be able to make use of the facility. This has the potential to be a very costly portion of the redevelopment. There will be discussions with the elevator contractor as to whether an interior or add-on exterior tower would make more sense given the building’s footprint.

Phase 4 – Third Floor Performance Space

The final phase of the establishment of the Regional Arts Center stands to be the most exciting. Hidden high above the street level is a grand space, divided in two and running front to back the depth of the building. Still undisturbed over a hundred years after original construction are elements of the original architecture including plaster rosettes and hardwood moldings in what was once an elegant Masonic lodge. The WCIAC Board envisions a performance space for theatre, live music, performance art and a number of other uses both philanthropic and commercial.

This phase of development will be by far the costliest as this floor has seen no use or repair for an indeterminate (but long) period of time. Large air handling units have been run and later abandoned in this area and will need removing. The woodwork will all need refinishing and there is a good deal of plaster repair needed. Most likely this portion will take three to five years to complete.

While the third floor offers the greatest challenge, it also represents the most dynamic space. It is for this reason the Board is seeking to partner with other groups, especially the Macomb Community Theater, to plan an elegant, impressive and versatile performance space that can be used by a wide range of artistic endeavors. They would be involved from the beginning with the design of this facility as they would be the primary user.
Project Costs and Benefits

The early projections for the complete renovation of the former Maurice’s building from potential Downtown blight to thriving arts center is a dollar figure of between 3 and 5 million dollars. While the amount is high, the cost of doing nothing is higher. Large Downtown retailers are nearly a thing of the past. Dynamic, forward-thinking communities across the nation are turning to the arts for creating a desirable Downtown destination with built-in economic drivers – this is our greatest opportunity.

During all phases of this project, the Board will continue to solicit cash donations and contributions of time, talent, and materials from artists, arts supporters, private citizens and corporate entities. Grants will be sought and secured whenever and wherever possible.

This is a proven type of development in towns across the country. The West Central Illinois region is currently holding its own during the current economic downturn. We cannot, however, assume that maintaining the status quo in the long run will yield the desired results. Now is the time to branch out and establish a different form of economic driver that will not only generate new revenues, but also offer highly desired meaningful cultural and creative experiences for our citizens of all ages.