Eureka Springs institutions awarded $112,000 in grants

Communications Art Institute Executive Director Jennifer Hansen (middle) and Writers' Colony Coordinator Jane Tucker accept a check for a $50,500 grant from Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe. The funds, from the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program (AHPP), will be used to help with the restoration of the building at 505 Spring St. With them are Department of Arkansas Heritage Director Cathie Matthews (left) and AHPP Director Frances McSwain.

EUREKA SPRINGS -- The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program (AHPP) has awarded almost $112,000 in grants to the City of Eureka Springs and two organizations.

Last week Governor Mike Beebe announced more than $2 million in preservation project grants in 35 counties through its County Courthouse Restoration Subgrant, Historic Preservation Restoration Grant, Certified Local Government Grant and Documentary Media Grant programs.

$50,500 to Writers' Colony

The Communication Arts Institute (a.k.a. the Writers' Colony at Dairy Hollow) got the lion's share of the funds coming to Carroll County this year, with a $50,500 grant to restore the building at 505 Spring St.

Executive Director Jennifer Hansen said the money will be used to do Phase II of a project to restore the "mid-century modern" building, which was a residence that was donated to the colony by Marty and Elise Roenigk.

The home was built in the 1950s in a Frank Lloyd Wright style called "Usonian," Hansen said. It is unusual for the state to award grant monies for restoration of a building so recent.

"It's a very unusual building for Eureka Springs," she said. "All the restoration will be done with designs approved by the AHPP and the Historic District Commission according to the original design of the home."

The home has already had extensive restoration of the foundation. In Phase II, windows and doors will be replaced, a new roof and siding will be put on, and interior remodeling will include space for offices, conference room, meeting room and two additional writers' suites, making a total of eight spaces the colony offers for writers' retreats.

"We are full all the time," said Hansen. "We have to turn people away. This will give us more space to offer."

Main Stage Chief Executive Officer Gary Andrews (right) accepts a check for a $22,500 grant from Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe. The funds, from the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program (AHPP), will be used to help with the restoration of the Bergdorf Grocery building at 67 North Main St. With them are Department of Arkansas Heritage Director Cathie Matthews (left) and AHPP Director Frances McSwain. Photos Submitted

$22,500 to Main Stage

Main Stage (a.k.a. Lane House, Inc.) received $22,500 to help in the restoration of the Bergdorf Grocery building at 67 N. Main St.

"We will use that money to rebuild the rear balcony, work on windows and the structure in back, and install a disabled ramp to the second floor from the upper street level in back," said Gary Andrews, chief executive officer. "That will become the community center."

He said Main Stage is still awaiting a check for $147,000 from the Federal Treasury to rebuild the theater. That grant comes from Save America's Treasures and was announced last December.

$35,000 to ES Courthouse

The county received a $35,000 courthouse restoration grant to restore the front facade and stairway of the Eureka Springs Courthouse.

$3,700 to HDC

The City of Eureka Springs received a $3,700 Certified Local Government grant for training of its Historic District Commission. The money will be used for commissioners to attend quarterly Certified Local Government meetings and attend one or two national preservation conferences, said Historic Preservation Officer Glenna Booth.