Athens City Council is considering whether to pump an additional $10,000 into its Arts/West Community Facility. Formerly the Nazarene Church, the facility is apparently in need of more renovations than was initially anticipated. Because of the burgeoning costs of the project amid a range of more pressing concerns, the city seriously should consider whether it would make sense to continue to fund the facility if private money is not available.
The initial $50,000 renovation cost - on top of about $400,000 to purchase the building - allotted for the project was a combination of grant money and city funds. The $10,000 would supposedly consist exclusively of grant and donation money, which would seem like a green light for this to go forward. Although already in use by some groups, the facility remains in need of renovations, including improvement of the restrooms and the creation of handicap accessibility. The original goal was for the community building to evolve into a self-sustained establishment capable of handling its own operating costs, but it seems that transition is proving more difficult than planners had hoped.
If the city is able to secure enough grant money or private donations, the project should by all means proceed. But, the question lingers as to whether sufficient donations will be made to cover the new costs, or if grant money can be secured for the project. Those sources of funding are not unlimited, and if they are not available the city should not put the public's tax dollars into the facility.
When the creation of an arts facility was first approved, it was made clear by the city that the money being used for it - a loan fund - could essentially not be used for anything else. Primarily for this reason, it did seem like a worthwhile endeavor at the time. However, it seems that the costs of making the community center a reality are beyond what was originally projected, which calls into question the project's initial appeal.
The city often argues that it is on a limited budget, a stance used to placate citizens' discontent about the perpetual substandard condition of many roads and sidewalks and the lack of proper lighting in some areas. Addressing genuine problems such as those should be foremost on the city's financial agenda. Therefore, grant money or donations are the only means by which the facility should be sustained. If a scenario arises where those sources would prove unattainable the city, should still refrain from spending any more money on the facility.
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Arts facility costs continue to increase
