Quote:
Originally Posted by quattordici
There seriously had to have been a better option... I'm surprised there weren't any obvious efforts made by public officials to work out something better.
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There was serious effort by the City of Huntsville and later the Space and rocket Center for at least 6 years to work a deal with Sci Quest. The city at one time wanted them downtown.
This article from
7 years ago
Sci-Quest may move to Councill School site
Supporters eager to refurbish historic but neglected building
Thursday, February 02, 2006By JOHN PECK
Times Staff Writer
Talks have begun on a proposal to move Sci-Quest into the old segregation-era Councill School building downtown.
Huntsville City Councilman Richard Showers and Madison County Commissioner Bob Harrison confirmed Wednesday that the Councill site is being considered as a possible location for the hands-on science center. Sci-Quest is on Wynn Drive in the Calhoun Community College building, across Interstate 565 from the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.
Both emphasized that the discussions are preliminary and that no decisions have been made.
"This is a very worthwhile effort. We need to try to work it out to satisfy everybody," Harrison said.
Supporters view the move as a way to renovate the deteriorating but historic Councill building.
"To renovate and refurbish and bring back a legacy to this community and have young people in there would be a plus," Showers said.
"What better mix than to have a current state-of-the-art science education facility in association with a historical and traditional education facility?" Harrison asked.
Sci-Quest Director J.D. Horne could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Horne has said previously that he and the Sci-Quest board support moving downtown if it would boost attendance and if the nonprofit center could afford it.
Cost a factor
City leaders and Sci-Quest officials have been mulling over a proposal to move Sci-Quest into a vacant section of the Huntsville Utilities office near Big Spring International Park. Utility representatives and city officials say that option may be too costly for Sci-Quest, which now pays only token rent for its 42,500 square feet at Calhoun.
"A lot of those talking have some reservations whether they (Sci-Quest) can afford that," Showers said.
There also would be parking problems at the Huntsville Utilities building but not at the Councill site, which is on St. Clair Avenue, beside the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library.
The Tennessee Valley Authority charter that governed the creation of Huntsville Utilities prohibits the utility from leasing office space for less than market value. Harrison said the rent alone would be in the $300,000 range.
Harrison said two Sci-Quest board members he talked with recently seemed open to Councill as a new home. Officers for the William Hooper Councill Alumni Association also spoke favorably about the idea, he said.
"They think it's a great idea," Harrison said. "They gave me the authority to proceed to see if we could facilitate that."
Harrison said he's still awaiting an official response from U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer on whether grant money the congressman secured to renovate the Huntsville Utilities building for Sci-Quest could be used to rebuild Councill.
$2 million grant to move
In a statement Wednesday, Cramer, D-Huntsville, said the grant is not limited to the Huntsville Utilities building. The $2 million is to help Sci-Quest relocate to enhance its offerings.
"This can be done at many locations in Huntsville, and I am sure Sci-Quest is considering them all," he said.
Earnest Horton, president of the Councill Alumni Association, said Wednesday that his group could support the Sci-Quest relocation and continues to look for grants, foundation awards and other sources of money to renovate the building. The alumni group released a master plan last fall showing a proposed multimillion-dollar makeover of the building.
Plans call for an auditorium/concert hall, a ballroom, a museum, several small offices and community rooms for tutoring, computer training, GED classes and other programs, and possibly a parking garage and community clinic.
Horton said those plans could be modified to accommodate Sci-Quest.
"We're prepared to tailor the building to satisfy any one of those components that will enhance its livelihood and help children learn and grow into more productive citizens," he said Wednesday.
The city owns the Councill property but has agreed to sell it to the alumni group for a nominal fee once its renovation plans are complete.
For nearly a century, Councill School was the only high school for black students in Huntsville. Desegregation ended its role as a high school in the 1960s. Arts organizations and civic groups occupied the building until a flood in 2003 severely damaged the already decaying building. The city declared it a safety hazard and shut its doors. Early estimates for a makeover suggest a $6.7 million price tag.
Huntsville Utilities spokesman Bill Yell said Wednesday that a professional services company has expressed interest in the utility's empty office space. The City Council in December authorized the utility to spend up to $1.8 million to renovate the space to make it more attractive to lease.
Huntsville Utilities officials said earlier that the going lease rate would be $16 to $18 per square foot but possibly less if the utility doesn't have to spend its own capital renovating the space. Officials say at least two other companies have expressed interest in the space
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