Curley School Campus

Project Overview *

Project Name:

Street Address:

201 Esperanza Ave.

City:

Ajo

State:

Zip Code:

85321

www.curleyschool.com

Web Site:

www.curleyschool.com [1]

Year Established:

2007

Telephone:

520-387-3229

First Name of Project Contact:

Tracy

Last Name of Project Contact:

Taft

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

Technique or Studio Training/Workshops:

Tile mosaic, sculpture, ceramics, puppetry, mime, painting

Population served+:

Community, emerging and experienced artists

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

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

Building Area (square feet):

50000

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(#):

Units for Broader Community(#):

Total Affordable Units(#):

Units for Resident Organization(#):

Workspace Studios:

Rental

Total Units(#):

Units for Broader Community(#):

Total Affordable Units(#):

Units for Resident Organization(#):

Total Units(#):

Units for Broader Community(#):

Total Affordable Units(#):

Units for Resident Organization(#):

Gallery:

Available to Public

Curated Access

Performance/Rehearsal Space:

Available to Public

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

Zoning / Building Regulations *

Original Zoning:

Residential

Zoning Change Required:

Yes

Other Zoning/Regulatory Issues:

Comprehensive Plan change was also required.

Development Team *

Type of Developer:

Non-Profit

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 ($):

9.02422e+06

Acquisition Cost ($):

625000

Construction Cost Per Square Foot ($):

130

Cost Per Unit ($):

151667

Total Equity ($):

6.80172e+06

Portion from Private Investment Sources ($):

6.80172e+06

Funding Sources/Uses:

HOME

Equity

State Government

Other Sources/Uses

Foundation Support ($):

000

CDBG Support:

000

HOME Support:

Pima County & State of Arizona

Restrictions Imposed:

Resale

Income

Local Government Support:

000

State Government Support:

Housing Trust Fund & Heritage Fund

Restrictions Imposed:

Income

Federal Government Support:

000

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 â€“ Ajo, AZ [2]

Ajo Art Centerâ€”Artistic Schoolhouse [3]

National Preservation Awards [4]

Press Articles [5]

Hope Chapter is about Ajo & Curley School [6]

Photographs (up to 10):

Curley School Photos.pdf [7]

Marketing Brochures/Press Clips/Advertisements:

Curley School Marketing Materials & Other Info.pdf [8]

Between Fences Kids Art Project.pdf [9]

Day of the Dead Call.pdf [10]

Intl Day of Peace 2009 Poster English.pdf [11]

Las Artes Newsbrief.pdf [12]

Organ Pipe Harvest.pdf [13]

Curley Campus Programs.pdf [14]

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