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Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning

Posted by... jmattox, Tuesday, August 18th, 2009

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Project Overview *
Project Name: 
Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning
Street Address: 
251 W. Second Street
City: 
Lexington
State: 
KY
Zip Code: 
40507-1135
Web Site: 
www.CarnegieLiteracy.org
Year Established: 
1992
Telephone: 
8592544175
First Name of Project Contact: 
Janet
Brief Project Description (100 words): 
In 1990, Lexington’s mayor created a committee to discover a reuse for the vacant Carnegie library building; from that group, the idea for a community learning and arts center was born. The Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning helps people find joy in writing, reading, and learning new things. In addition to offering a gallery and performing arts events, the center’s emphasis on writing and promoting books by Kentucky authors has made it the literary hub of Kentucky. The building is also home to learning and arts organizations, an author, and writing/book discussion groups. It is also the site for other non-Carnegie events, including the Kentucky Women Writers Conference.
Program/Development Partners
Public/Civil Sector: 
Development
Name: 
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government
For-profit Private Sector: 
n/a
Name: 
n/a
Non-profit Sector: 
Program
Name: 
Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning (a.k.a. Carnegie Literacy Center, Inc.)
Creative Industries Served: 
Visual arts
Performance-based arts
Heritage, arts & crafts
Design
Literary Arts, publishing, printed media
New Media
Creative services
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: 
Saturday writing/publishing seminars such as “Publishing in Today's Economic Climate,” Adobe CS-4 computer classes, writers retreats, writer mentoring, a Writers Reference Room, and a Kentucky Literature Academy for teachers.
Population served+: 
All ages
Total Served Per Year: 
n/a
Technique or Studio Training/Workshops: 
Writing workshops in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, screenwriting, memoir, and on topics such as “Movies and Writing,” “How to Write a Newspaper Column,” etc; master writing classes; the Young Women Writers Project; and youth and family camps and workshops.
Population served+: 
All ages
Total Served Per Year: 
n/a
Community Engagement/Programming: 
Author readings/book signings, free music and theatrical performances, gallery exhibits, writing contests.
Population Served+: 
All ages
Total Served Per Year: 
n/a
Other Programs: 
Youth and family learning programs, academic tutoring, summer day camps for youth, workshops in computers and world languages, job search-related workshops, financial literacy, book groups for adults and youth.
Population served+: 
All ages
Shared Community Resources - Facilities and Equipment: 
2 computer labs, a reading room, free wi-fi, Writers Reference Room, art gallery, performance space, PA system, a SmartBoard, LCD projection equipment, a document camera.
Shared Community Resources - Administrative Infrastructure: 
Staff members provide information about Kentucky authors, publishers, writing, literacy, and opportunities for writers and learners to expand their knowledge. Staff partner with other organizations for programs with similar missions.
Shared Community Resources - Other: 
The Writers Reference Room is a free-access room open to the public; it includes writing manuals, literary journals, Writers Market books, and more. The building serves as a venue for non-Carnegie literary and learning events including an upcoming Silas House book release party and the James Baker Hall memorial service. It is a site of Mayfest, Kentucky Women Writers Conference, Lexington’s Downtown Gallery Hop, the Roots & Heritage Festival, and more.
Building Description *
Building Description: 
Renovation
Year Renovated: 
1990-1992
Year Originally Built: 
1902
Building Type: 
Multi-use
Artist/Space Ownership/Use Structure: 
Combination
Other: 
n/a
Building Area (square feet): 
20,000
Types of Spaces: 
Office Space
Multi-Purpose Space
Common Area
Included Space Types / Uses
Live/Work Spaces: 
n/a
Total Units(#): 
n/a
Units for Broader Community(#): 
n/a
Total Affordable Units(#): 
n/a
Units for Resident Organization(#): 
n/a
Workspace Studios: 
Rental
Total Units(#): 
21
Units for Broader Community(#): 
16
Total Affordable Units(#): 
21
Units for Resident Organization(#): 
16
Live-Only Spaces: 
n/a
Total Units(#): 
n/a
Units for Broader Community(#): 
n/a
Total Affordable Units(#): 
n/a
Units for Resident Organization(#): 
n/a
Gallery: 
Available to Public
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
High speed internet access
Parking
Garden access
Describe Sustainable Strategies Employed (250 words): 
The Carnegie Center is committed to employing sustainable strategies. In summer 2009, we requested an energy audit from our provider, and we are implementing those suggestions, including the following: using energy efficient light bulbs; replacing emergency lighting fixtures with new, more efficient ones; installing motion sensors in restrooms to control lighting; installing programmable thermostats; depending on natural light available through eight-foot windows and a large skylight; and installing insulated window shades in most rooms. We have been active recyclers of paper, plastic, glass, and aluminum for several years; containers are available on every floor of the building. The practice of recycling is promoted during programs such as our “Earth Day” youth and family celebration. Recycled materials are used whenever possible; at a summer architecture camp for youth, models of a city block were constructed out of recycled trash. The center is within walking distance of the city’s major bus lines, and we provide lockable bike racks on site for employees and visitors. We have been the site for a local community bike rental program as well.
Description of Preservation Work (50 words): 
Cleaning and preserving the limestone facade; repairing the original windows; repairing and restoring the hardwood floors and the interior marble columns, floors, and wainscoting; re-opening the first floor ceiling’s access to the second story’s skylight; waterproofing the basement; extensive painting and plaster wall repair throughout; re-aligning the building’s front stone steps.
Description of Incubation Facilities, Resources, Programming (50 words): 
The mixed-use building has a Writers Reference Room, an art gallery, two computer labs, classrooms, offices, a reading room with free books, a multi-purpose room used for performances and author readings, a kitchenette, community information stations, an elevator, four handicap-accessible restrooms, and cozy sitting areas that invite conversation.
Zoning / Building Regulations *
Original Zoning: 
Residential
Other: 
n/a
Zoning Change Required: 
No
Other Zoning/Regulatory Issues: 
Though a residential zoning is currently in place, the building has never been a residence. The building sits on property owned by Transylvania University, near the site where their first dormitory once stood; however, the Carnegie building is owned by local government through the public library system. Since the building first opened in 1905, it has been the original location for the public library and then became the Carnegie Center.
Development Team *
Type of Developer: 
Public
Other: 
n/a
Developer: 
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government
Contractor: 
n/a
Project Manager: 
Carnegie Center Planning Committee; Robert F. Sexton, Chair
Architect: 
DQW Inc., & Associates
Artist Organization: 
n/a
Other Experts Consulted (property management, legal, etc): 
Structural Engineers: Buell-Fryer Associates, Inc.; Mechanical-Electrical Engineers: Kaiser-Taulbee Associates; Landscape Architect: John L. Carmon & Associates; Project Consultants: Connie A. Bridge & Peter N. Winograd; Abestos: Analytical Management, Inc.
Finance *
Total Development Cost ($): 
1,475,000
Acquisition Cost ($): 
0
Construction Cost Per Square Foot ($): 
4
Cost Per Unit ($): 
n/a
Total Equity ($): 
1,500,000
Portion from Private Investment Sources ($): 
560,000
Funding Sources/Uses: 
Foundations
Local Government
Other Sources/Uses
Foundation Support ($): 
William Stamps Farish Foundation
Restrictions Imposed: 
n/a
CDBG Support: 
n/a
Restrictions Imposed: 
n/a
HOME Support: 
n/a
Restrictions Imposed: 
n/a
Local Government Support: 
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government
Restrictions Imposed: 
n/a
State Government Support: 
n/a
Restrictions Imposed: 
n/a
Federal Government Support: 
n/a
Restrictions Imposed: 
n/a
Other Support: 
private contributions
Restrictions Imposed: 
n/a
Equity/Tax Credits: 
n/a
Other Tax Credits: 
n/a
Debt: 
n/a
Bank Debt ($): 
n/a
Links / Images / Attachments
Links: 
Carnegie Center website
Carnegie Center blog
Article on Carnegie Center/publishing
Photographs (up to 10): 
application/pdf icon
Carnegie bldg pix.pdf
Marketing Brochures/Press Clips/Advertisements: 
application/pdf icon
About the CC 3-2-09.pdf
Submit: 
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