Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning

Project Overview *

Project Name:

Street Address:

251 W. Second Street

City:

Lexington

State:

Zip Code:

40507-1135

www.CarnegieLiteracy.org

Web Site:

www.CarnegieLiteracy.org [1]

Year Established:

1992

Telephone:

8592544175

First Name of Project Contact:

Janet

Last Name of Project Contact:

Isenhour

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

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 â€œPublishing in Today's Economic Climate,â€ Adobe CS-4 computer classes, writers retreats, writer mentoring, a Writers Reference Room, and a Kentucky Literature Academy for teachers.

Population served+:

All ages

Technique or Studio Training/Workshops:

Writing workshops in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, screenwriting, memoir, and on topics such as â€œMovies and Writing,â€ â€œHow to Write a Newspaper Column,â€ etc; master writing classes; the Young Women Writers Project; and youth and family camps and workshops.

Population served+:

All ages

Community Engagement/Programming:

Author readings/book signings, free music and theatrical performances, gallery exhibits, writing contests.

Population Served+:

All ages

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, Lexingtonâ€™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

Building Area (square feet):

20000

Types of Spaces:

Office Space

Multi-Purpose Space

Common Area

Included Space Types / Uses

Workspace Studios:

Rental

Total Units(#):

Units for Broader Community(#):

Total Affordable Units(#):

Units for Resident Organization(#):

Gallery:

Available to Public

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

High speed internet access

Parking

Garden access

Zoning / Building Regulations *

Original Zoning:

Residential

Zoning Change Required:

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

Developer:

Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government

Project Manager:

Carnegie Center Planning Committee; Robert F. Sexton, Chair

Architect:

DQW Inc., & Associates

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 ($):

1.475e+06

Acquisition Cost ($):

Construction Cost Per Square Foot ($):

3.75

Total Equity ($):

1.5e+06

Portion from Private Investment Sources ($):

560000

Funding Sources/Uses:

Foundations

Local Government

Other Sources/Uses

Foundation Support ($):

William Stamps Farish Foundation

Local Government Support:

Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government

Other Support:

private contributions

Links / Images / Attachments

Links:

Carnegie Center website [1]

Carnegie Center blog [2]

Article on Carnegie Center/publishing [3]

Photographs (up to 10):

Carnegie bldg pix.pdf [4]

Marketing Brochures/Press Clips/Advertisements:

About the CC 3-2-09.pdf [5]

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