OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
A New Grange Performing Arts Center
The old GBO building will become the NEW Grange Performing Arts Center.Early in the year, an opportunity presented itself that could not be denied. The State Grange learned that the Sacramento City College Drama Department was looking for a new home while their campus theatre was being renovated.
At the same time, the State Grange had been looking for tenants to occupy the 3823 V Street building on the Grange’s property. This building was constructed in 1957 as the Grange Business Organization (GBO) and originally served as a members’ co-op store. Years ago the GBO closed due to competition from large retailers. The building has since been rented as office space. For the past two years it has been vacant.
“In this economy we have to think outside of the box,” stated CSG Master Bob McFarland. “Seventy-five percent of our rental space at the Grange triangle has been vacant for some time. We have to get creative to replace that lost income.”
The GBO building has a large open space with high ceilings. In January, Master McFarland approached Director Luther Hanson of the City College Drama Department with a proposal to create a 100 – 130 seat theatre. Hanson was sold on his first visit. Planning meetings began between the Grange and the Drama Department.
An agreement is being negotiated between the Grange and the City College that will provide the space for use by their Drama Department for 2 – 3 years, the time it will take to renovate their campus theatre. When the Drama Department is not using the space, it will be used for a variety of purposes, including small musical concerts, guest artists, town hall meetings, and other Grange sponsored events.
For the Performing Arts Center, the Drama Department will build risers, install seats, hang light grids and curtains, and provide a lighting board. When the Drama Department returns to their campus theatre, everything will be left behind.
The Grange will make renovations to bring the GBO building to code, which will include expanding the restrooms and putting in a new exit door. Typically, “tenant improvements” would be required for any new tenant occupying the space, estimated in the range of $40,000 – 45,000.
At their meeting on May 16, the Executive Committee gave the project a green light, approving up to $75,000 for the renovations. An income projection presented by Master McFarland predicts the project will pay for itself within 5 years, and create an annual income source of $19,500 by 2016.
Additional revenue will be derived by renting six existing offices on the front side of the building to a “performing arts consortium”, generating an additional projected income of $22,000 per year.
“Imagine a partnership of acting, music, dance and poetry groups all under the Grange roof, with a performance space attached,” commented Master McFarland. “There will be a waiting list wanting to rent space. This consortium will provide income, membership and name recognition for the Grange.”
It is anticipated that the Performing Arts Center will be enjoyed and used by Grangers from around the state for meetings and events, and it is part of a larger effort by the State Grange to provide tangible benefits to our members.
“The creation of the Grange Performing Arts Center is a step in the right direction,” Master McFarland reasons, “serving our members and the Sacramento community where our headquarters is based. It brings us the kind of positive attention we need.”