Overview
The Town of Cary is planning to renovate Old Cary Elementary School and convert it into a community arts center. The recommendation to renovate Old Cary Elementary was a result of the Town Center Cultural Arts District Study. Approved by Town Council in July 2006, this study provides the framework for implementing a cultural arts district within downtown Cary. The renovation of Old Cary Elementary will serve as the cultural anchor for Cary's revitalized downtown.
Schedule (October 2007)
The Town is currently in the programming phase. This phase includes:
- Collecting data on the existing conditions of the Old Cary Elementary facility
- Determining the types of uses, the amount of square footage for each of these uses and appropriate location for these use within Old Cary Elementary
- Analyzing the existing theatre and determining necessary program space to have a fully functioning theatre.
- Determining the amount of parking that will be required for both programs and events.
- Developing preliminary cost estimates
TASK |
DATE |
MEETING LOCATION |
STATUS |
Select Project Consultant |
Spring 2007 |
NA |
Completed |
Facility Inventory/Programming |
June - November 2007 |
NA |
Ongoing |
Select Project Artist |
July 2007 |
NA |
Completed |
Public Meeting #1 |
July 17, 2007 |
Old Cary Elementary |
Completed |
Public Meeting #2 |
October 2 |
Page-Walker Arts and History Center |
|
Joint Advisory/Cultural Arts |
October 16 |
Town Hall Meeting Location |
|
Operations Committee |
November 1, 2007 |
Town Hall Meeting Location |
|
Town Council |
November 8, 2007 |
Town Hall Meeting Location |
|
Design |
Jan - October 2008 |
NA |
|
Project Bid |
November 2008 |
NA |
|
Construction |
Winter 2009 - Summer 2010 |
NA |
|
Estimated Completion Date |
Summer 2010 |
NA |
|
Public Input
Public Meeting #1
June 17 at Old Cary Elementary
Public Meeting #2
October 2 at Page-Walker Arts and History Center
Public Art
The Town identified the inclusion of a public artist on the design team as an important part of the design process. In July, the Public Art Advisory Board approved the recommendation to hire the artists' team of Norie Sato (Seattle, WA), Jim Hirschfield and Sonya Ishii (Chapel Hill, NC).
The renovation of Old Cary Elementary School into a cultural arts center offers opportunities for integrated art/design elements that will make this Center a cultural anchor in our community. The Town of Cary's Public Art Master Plan places priority on integrated art approaches and calls for there to be a focus on including public art in Town facilities. This project offers a unique opportunity to address both of those goals.
Background
In 2001, the Town completed the Town Center Area Plan (TCAP). This plan provided a blueprint for the greater downtown area of Cary and recommended that downtown be established as the cultural center of Cary. In 2003, the PRCR Facilities Master Plan recommended the conversion of Old Cary Elementary paired with a larger visual and performing arts center as one option to meet the Town's cultural facility needs. The second option recommended building one large facility to accommodate all potential needs as outlined in the master plan. The Town purchased the state's first public high school, Old Cary Elementary, from the Wake County Public School System in 2003.
Old Cary Elementary was analyzed in more detail in 2006 with the completion of the Town Center Cultural Arts District Study. The plan included the following goals for Old Cary Elementary as a Community Arts Center:
- Provide accessible and affordable performance, exhibition, rehearsal, education and work spaces to support the growth of local and regional arts organizations and cultural groups, as well as Town-sponsored programs.
- Provide a broad spectrum of activity that will encourage community participation as well as stimulate increased activity and interest in Downtown.
- Encourage education programs, partnerships and activities for regional school children.
- Operate on a sound financial basis to ensure a sustainable annual funding requirement.
Related Links
Town Center Area Plan
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Facilities Master Plan
Downtown Streetscape Study
Town Center Civic & Cultural Arts Study
Town Center Park
Public Art Master Plan
Contact
For more information on this project, send inquiries via e-mail (preferred method) to:
Doug McRainey, Parks Planning Manager
doug.mcrainey@townofcary.org
Lyman Collins, Cultural Arts Manager
lyman.collins@townofcary.org
Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department
316 N. Academy St.
Cary, North Carolina 27513
(919) 469-4061