THE SYMPHONY OF PROGRESS:
A CAMELIA STREET UPDATE
BZZZ! THUMP! WHIRR! SPLAT, ZAP! KABOOM! WOOHOO! Those are the symphony of sounds you might hear if you happen to drive past Fourth & Camelia Streets these days. The first six sounds are just a sampling of the music the very busy construction crew is making as they diligently work on preparing the new space for our Studio. The rhythmic clang of hammers smacking nails echoes through the air, a steady heartbeat of transformation. Power drills whir, carving new possibilities and wider doorways into formerly worn walls and narrow passageways of an old manufacturing plant, while the deep rumble of concrete mixers signals fresh foundations taking shape. Sparks crackle as welders fabricate new kiln hoods, and the steady shuffle of boots on sawdust-covered floors marks the movement of skilled hands shaping the future of our Studio. Amidst this chorus of progress, a new space is emerging—stronger, brighter, and built to last.
The team of plumbers, electricians, framers and others have grinded, sawed, hammered, dug, and poured their way through the plans to create office space, the glaze room, the Member and Student areas, and community spaces for our new Studio. Exciting developments are taking shape as our construction project moves forward with impressive momentum. Crews have been hard at work, making significant strides in structural framing, foundation work, and key infrastructure installations. With each passing day, the site transforms, bringing us one step closer to completion.
A few weeks ago a back hoe was busy digging up the floor from the entrance off of Fourth Street to the mid-way point of the building to reconstruct the slope of the floor. A completely new slab of concrete was poured and soon the entry doors will be installed. The framers have built the bathrooms and glaze room and the storage mezzanine, while also hammering out the offices, break and conference rooms. In just a little over a month the construction crews have made significant progress and our ideas for our new space are taking shape. Things are really coming together in ways that you cannot only see but also hear. Whirr! Zap! Splat! Thud! Ping! Kaboom!
As for the WOOHOO! Well that’s the sound the Board of Directors made when they heard we were approved for a loan that will allow us to pay for the construction costs and pay off the seller carry. While this loan will allow us to pay off the seller carry a year early and continue to finance the construction costs, the Capital Campaign will still continue to aggressively fundraise to service the debt and apply for grants. The security of having this loan had us leaping for joy and adding to the cacophony of sounds generated by the construction crew. However, we still have work to do and funds to raise. We hope you share in our joy and excitement regarding this new development and add to the beautiful symphony of building our future home.
And if you have not made a donation, wish to increase your support or know of a foundation or individual willing to invest in our dream for another 50 plus years of potting; log on to the website, send a check, or email an introduction to your foundation connection or interested donor.
In the meantime, cock you ear and listen for the beautiful symphony of zapping nail guns, pounding hammers and buzzing saws accompanied by our expressions of joy that our dreams are within reach.
By Cheryl Stevens
