Cary Beginning Renovation of Old Cary Elementary School into New Cary Community Arts Center

Posted by Matt Young Arts, Community, News Monday, January 4th, 2010

CARY, NC –  From the TOC web site : Located in the heart of downtown at the intersection of South Academy Street and Dry Avenue, citizens will see dramatic changes to the site over the next 15 months. Once complete, the center will have visual and performing arts space on all three levels as well as a fully functioning theater with a stage, fly loft and 399 seats. The project includes the conversion of the existing 42,000 sq. ft. masonry building plus a 6,000 sq. ft. addition of new space for a total of about 48,000 sq. ft.

“We’re excited to get this renovation underway and believe its completion will be a catalyst for more redevelopment in downtown, which is the heart of our community,” said Parks Planning Manager Doug McRainey. “This is the site of the first public high school in North Carolina, and a key component of the center’s programming will be arts education, continuing the legacy of education on this site dating back to the 1870s.”

While the Town had budgeted $17.1 million to complete the project, the project is now expected to cost about $13.1 million thanks to lower than expected construction bids. The remaining $3.9 million has been returned to the Town’s general capital reserve fund balance where it may be re-appropriated to other capital needs.

“We feel extremely fortunate to be able to construct this facility for less than expected and see it as one more example of the Town’s commitment to providing a high level of service to our citizens in a cost-effective manner,” added McRainey.

The Town purchased the Old Cary Elementary School Building  from Wake County Public Schools in August 2003.  In July 2006, Town Council formally adopted the Streetscape Plan as well as the Town Center Civic and Cultural Arts Study, which provided the framework for implementing a cultural arts district within downtown Cary.  A key recommendation in the plan’s implementation was the renovation of Old Cary Elementary into a future cultural arts center.  The Town Council identified the project as a priority, and in May of 2007 the architectural firm Clearscapes of Raleigh was hired to complete the design and the renovation.  Funding was also included to hire a team of artists to integrate public art into the renovation. Town Council awarded the contract on November 12, 2009 to New Atlantic Contracting, Inc., out of Winston-Salem. Project completion is scheduled for late spring of 2011.

A formal groundbreaking ceremony will take place on January 23, 2010, at 2 p.m. The public is invited to attend the event and will have the opportunity to tour the building in its current state as well as view renderings of the new spaces.

For complete project details, visit Old Cary Elementary Renovation at www.townofcary.org.

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