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Curley School Campus

Posted by... tracytaft, Monday, August 17th, 2009

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Project Overview *
Project Name: 
Curley School Campus
Street Address: 
201 Esperanza Ave.
City: 
Ajo
State: 
AZ
Zip Code: 
85321
Web Site: 
www.curleyschool.com
Year Established: 
2007
Telephone: 
520-387-3229
First Name of Project Contact: 
Tracy
Brief Project Description (100 words): 
The Curley School project is the anchor for an arts-based revitalization strategy for the town of Ajo, Arizona. The International Sonoran Desert Alliance (ISDA) purchased the 7.5 acre vacant school campus in 2005. In June 2007, ISDA completed the award-winning rehabilitation of two historic buildings as 30 affordable live/work rental units for artists plus an auditorium with an indoor/outdoor stage. ISDA also renovated adjacent buildings to a retail gallery, business incubator, shared workspace, computer lab, classrooms, meeting rooms, and offices. Programs include business planning for artists and access to capital though matched savings accounts and micro loans.
Program/Development Partners
Public/Civil Sector: 
Development
Name: 
Pima County, AZ
For-profit Private Sector: 
Development
Name: 
Enterprise Community Investment
Non-profit Sector: 
Program
Development
Project Tenant
Name: 
International Sonoran Desert Alliance
Creative Industries Served: 
Visual arts
Performance-based arts
Heritage, arts & crafts
Literary Arts, publishing, printed media
Audiovisuals
Community Context: *
Community Programming: 
Professional Development & Training Services
Technique or studio training/ workshops
Community Service/Engagement Programs
Other
Shared: Facilities and Equipment
Shared: Administrative Infrastructure
Other Shared Resources
Professional Development & Training Services: 
Business planning, marketing
Population served+: 
Artists and other micro entrepreneurs
Total Served Per Year: 
n/a
Technique or Studio Training/Workshops: 
Tile mosaic, sculpture, ceramics, puppetry, mime, painting
Population served+: 
Community, emerging and experienced artists
Total Served Per Year: 
n/a
Community Engagement/Programming: 
Las Artes GED and Jobs Program / Ajo Memory Project (oral history, cultural reunions, public art)
Population Served+: 
At risk youth / the whole Ajo community
Total Served Per Year: 
n/a
Other Programs: 
International Day of Peace Celebration (2-day) & other festivals
Population served+: 
Tohono O'odham Nation, Sonora Mexico, and Ajo
Shared Community Resources - Facilities and Equipment: 
4,945 sq. ft. building w/woodworking equipment, kilns, etc. + an indoor/outdoor auditorium / performance venue
Shared Community Resources - Administrative Infrastructure: 
Computers, business software, tax prep assistance, and ISDA acts as fiscal steward for artists and community groups seeking grants
Shared Community Resources - Other: 
Computer lab (11 stations) w/high speed internet
Building Description *
Building Description: 
Renovation
Year Renovated: 
2006
Year Originally Built: 
1919
Building Type: 
School
Artist/Space Ownership/Use Structure: 
Rental
Other: 
n/a
Building Area (square feet): 
50,000
Types of Spaces: 
Live-Work Spaces
Gallery
Performance/Rehearsal Space
Office Space
Multi-Purpose Space
Common Area
Commercial Space
Other
Included Space Types / Uses
Live/Work Spaces: 
Rental
Total Units(#): 
30
Units for Broader Community(#): 
30
Total Affordable Units(#): 
30
Units for Resident Organization(#): 
0
Workspace Studios: 
Rental
Total Units(#): 
2
Units for Broader Community(#): 
2
Total Affordable Units(#): 
2
Units for Resident Organization(#): 
0
Live-Only Spaces: 
n/a
Total Units(#): 
0
Units for Broader Community(#): 
0
Total Affordable Units(#): 
0
Units for Resident Organization(#): 
0
Gallery: 
Available to Public
Curated Access
Performance/Rehearsal Space: 
Available to Public
Dance Studio: 
n/a
Recording Studio: 
n/a
Office Space: 
For Resident Organizations Only
Multi-Purpose Space (e.g. for Community Use): 
Available to Public
Additional Artist Amenities: 
Natural light
Wide width doorways
Wide width hallways
Ventilation
Freight elevator
Wheelchair accessible
Sound proofing
Special electric (220v)
High speed internet access
Parking
Roof/patio access
Garden access
Describe Sustainable Strategies Employed (250 words): 
ISDA rehabilitated historic buildings with minimal demolition, saved and reused red clay roof tiles, implemented xeriscape landscape and water harvesting, used extra insulation and high SEER HVAC systems, used low E double glass when installing new windows, and installed insulated blinds. Utility costs are averaging 30-40% below state guidelines.
Description of Preservation Work (50 words): 
ISDA has rehabilitated the Spanish Colonial Revival style Curley School Main Building (1919) and the one story Rancho style building (1937) as live/work artist units, and the 1949 Cafeteria Building to a gallery and microenterprise center—all on the National Register of Historic Places, most at the national level of significance.
Description of Incubation Facilities, Resources, Programming (50 words): 
We help artists grow their micro businesses. Facilities include workspace and tools; and a gallery. Services include access to computers and business software; training and technical assistance (business planning); printing and copying (including wide-format), dry mounting, laminating, matting, shipping, and receiving; and capital through matched savings accounts and micro loans.
Zoning / Building Regulations *
Original Zoning: 
Residential
Other: 
n/a
Zoning Change Required: 
Yes
Other Zoning/Regulatory Issues: 
Comprehensive Plan change was also required.
Development Team *
Type of Developer: 
Non-Profit
Other: 
n/a
Developer: 
International Sonoran Desert Alliance
Contractor: 
TBR & Sun Pueblo Contracting LLC
Project Manager: 
International Sonoran Desert Alliance
Architect: 
The Architecture Company
Artist Organization: 
International Sonoran Desert Alliance
Other Experts Consulted (property management, legal, etc): 
The Planning Center (zoning and comprehensive plan), Kutak Rock (legal), Artspace Projects Inc. (feasibility, artist market study, marketing), Enterprise Community Investment (development, tax credits), Fall Creek Consulting (marketing plan), FinePoint Associates (business plan for business incubator/enteprrise center), Vantage Property Management
Finance *
Total Development Cost ($): 
9,024,220
Acquisition Cost ($): 
625,000
Construction Cost Per Square Foot ($): 
130
Cost Per Unit ($): 
151,667
Total Equity ($): 
6,801,720
Portion from Private Investment Sources ($): 
6,801,720
Funding Sources/Uses: 
HOME
Equity
State Government
Other Sources/Uses
Foundation Support ($): 
000
Restrictions Imposed: 
n/a
CDBG Support: 
000
Restrictions Imposed: 
n/a
HOME Support: 
Pima County & State of Arizona
Restrictions Imposed: 
Resale
Income
Local Government Support: 
000
Restrictions Imposed: 
n/a
State Government Support: 
Housing Trust Fund & Heritage Fund
Restrictions Imposed: 
Income
Federal Government Support: 
000
Restrictions Imposed: 
n/a
Other Support: 
SF FHLB AHP Program w/Bank of Tucson & ISDA Deferred Developer Fee
Restrictions Imposed: 
Income
Equity/Tax Credits: 
LIHTC
HPTC
Other Tax Credits: 
000
Debt: 
Bank Debt
State/Local Government
Bank Debt ($): 
$400,000
Links / Images / Attachments
Links: 
Curley School Artist Housing – Ajo, AZ
Ajo Art Center—Artistic Schoolhouse
National Preservation Awards
Press Articles
Hope Chapter is about Ajo & Curley School
Photographs (up to 10): 
application/pdf icon
Curley School Photos.pdf
Marketing Brochures/Press Clips/Advertisements: 
application/pdf icon
Curley School Marketing Materials & Other Info.pdf
application/pdf icon
Between Fences Kids Art Project.pdf
application/pdf icon
Day of the Dead Call.pdf
application/pdf icon
Intl Day of Peace 2009 Poster English.pdf
application/pdf icon
Las Artes Newsbrief.pdf
application/pdf icon
Organ Pipe Harvest.pdf
application/pdf icon
Curley Campus Programs.pdf
Submit: 
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