Winnsboro Center for the Arts

Fact Sheet: Property at 204 Market Street

* In 2004, the Leaton family graciously donated an adjoining building at 204 Market Street to the Winnsboro Center for the Arts (WCA) to use for the arts and for future expansion. (WAC was the Trails Country Center for the Arts at the time)

* The building had been used for storage for several years and WCA intended to bring the circa 1901 building up to code to make it habitable. Unfortunately WCA was unable to secure the necessary funding.

* The building continued to remain vacant and be used for storage during the ensuing years. This was a continuing concern to WCA

* In 2008, WCA conducted a series of strategic planning sessions and the 204 Market Street building was discussed in detail at the time. Some Board members felt it would be in the best interest of the Art Center to sell the building; other Board members wanted to keep the building for future use.

* The Board discussed alternative uses for the building - art studios, theatre space, a possible museum or renting to another arts-related business. The Board determined a criterion should they choose to lease the building – they would consider a lease-only arrangement to an arts-related business.

* The Winnsboro Economic Director attempted to help with leasing and a couple of non-art businesses expressed interest in the building, but nothing was pursued.

* In November 2009, Denice Grugle and Stephen Marshall of Crossroads Music Company approached the Executive Committee of WCA with a detailed proposal to lease the building for a period of 7-years. The owners of Crossroads were interested in bringing the building up to code and making lease-hold improvements en lieu of a reduced monthly rental.

* The WCA Executive Committee reviewed the proposal from Grugle/Marshall, determined that it met the criteria and decided to recommend it to the full Board at their scheduled January 2010 meeting.

* The WCA Board voted to enter an “exploratory phase” to obtain a legal opinion on several points, then proceeding to a Letter of Intent. A notice was placed in the Winnsboro News to announce the possible rental of the building.

* After reviewing the legal opinion letter and lease prepared by the attorneys, the WCA Executive Committee voted to proceed with the lease.

* The WCA Board is very excited about partnering with another arts-related group. This seems to be an ideal solution to benefit Crossroads, WCA and the community – the circa 1901 building would be renovated and brought up to code; Grugle/Marshall would use the building for arts-related purposes and the Arts Center would retain ownership for future expansion; Crossroads would have an affordable home and remain active in Winnsboro; and the new Cultural Arts District would be enhanced by the two groups working together.