Hoosier Desk Cultural Center design and cost revealed
The cost to the Jasper Public Library and the City of Jasper Arts Department to turn the old Hoosier Desk building into a combined cultural center is less than the referendum cost proposed for a new library on South Newton in 2011.
That year, taxpayers resoundingly voted down a referendum for $7.3 million for the new library to be constructed on South Newton.
With a looming deadline to make a decision so they can hit a planned 2016 referendum, the library board learned the total estimated to create spaces for both entities is about $12.8 million. That amount includes dealing with all of the issues found by Universal Design during a structural study and a $1,704,000 construction contingency cost.
During a presentation by Barry Alberts of CityVisions and David Gamble of Gamble and Associates Monday night, a crowd of 60 learned this cost could be split between the two entities. With potential tax credits and other sources of funding, this number could be whittled down to between $4,194,175 and $5,787,000 per entity.
Alberts presented the following alternative sources of funding to bring the cost down.
• Historic Tax Credits (10%) for up to $370,750
• Indiana Industrial Recovery Tax Credit (25%) for up to $2,813,500
• Environmental Remediation Grant Program for up to $150,000
• Jasper Wood Heritage Industries for up to $350,000
• Jasper Electric Utility for up to $480,000
• Philanthropic Entities (e.g. ROJAC) for up to $250,000
The $5,787,000 amount was given as an example if historic tax credits and Indiana Industrial Recovery Tax Credits were not received. Fortunately, according to Alberts, the state agencies involved are favorable to the reuse of Hoosier Desk.
Who would own the building was still not discussed but Alberts alluded to it being owned publicly and likely split between the two entities.
Additionally, the two firms’ plans included the addition of 32 loft apartments on the top two levels of one of the three-story sections. The apartments could be constructed by another developer with a lease arrangement with whoever ends up owning the building. The cost to develop those loft apartments was not included in the total presented Monday.
However, Alberts and Gamble agreed that it would be best if all three projects — housing, library, and arts center — moved forward together.
The purchase price for the building has still not been revealed, but this is expected to be discussed at a special Jasper Public Library Board of Trustees meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Jasper Library Annex.
A decision on whether or not to pursue the Hoosier Desk building as a site for the future library will likely be made at Thursday’s regular meeting at the Jasper Library Annex scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m.
Jasper Library Board President Dean Vonderheide was positive about the revelation Monday evening. “I think this makes it a lot more feasible,” he said. “We needed to know if that site would work and I think we are finding out that this location will work for us. I am still reserved about the site, but I think we as a board have a lot more facts to make a decision.”
According to the Jasper Community Arts Commission President Mike Jones, the cost to the arts department comes in at a substantial savings to a planned expansion the group has pursued since 2006. He explained that the space made available in the Hoosier Desk building to expand the arts department’s offerings was larger. It also came in at a substantial savings compared to the 2006 estimate of $9 million for an expansion on the current site of the arts center.
“This is the first time we have heard these costs on this project and they are really exciting to hear. Especially knowing what our costs were estimated to be out there [the arts center],” he said. “We get everything we were looking for and be closer to downtown and have more foot traffic and partner with the library. I am really excited about that.”
This story will be updated.
