When it comes to the Winyah Auditorium, the city — by law — cannot own it, but the board created to take control of the historic structure could decline to take it over.
At a meeting this week, the Winyah Auditorium Corp. Board — a non-profit organization which may take ownership of the Highmarket Street building — discussed the future of the facility with city council.
The history
In 2002, the entire building — the portion of Winyah High School that was saved from destruction when the rest of the school burned down in 1981 — was leased to brothers Hank and Dr. Gerald "Ged" Tiller by the city.
As part of the signed agreement, the Tillers leased the auditorium portion of the historic building — and some adjacent rooms — back to the city for $1 a year for seven years.
Now, those portions of the building are supposed to be deeded over to be converted into a cultural center.
Frannie Heizer, of the McNair Law Firm, told the board and council the city cannot enter into a business deal with a private entity, which is why the corporation was created.
Right now, that corporation is under control of city council and there is talk about making it an independent board.
“But they must know there are enough resources for it to operate,” Heizer said.
Generating funds
The corporation could generate funds by renting the facility once it is complete or by requesting Accommodations and Hospitality Tax revenues.
Members of the corporation board said contributions that have been made are for renovations, not operating costs.
They want assurance the city will continue to fund the operations of the facility until it is self sustaining.
“I hope the city would underwrite any shortfall we have,” said board member Bill Doar.
How much of a financial contribution the city needs to make is a question that still has not been answered.
Mapping a timeline
The corporation board will meet soon to try to map out a financial timeline to present to council.
Looking for an out?
For the first time, there was public discussion about what could happen if the city backs out of the deal.
Councilman Jack Scoville asked Heizer if the city must continue with the plans since public funds have been spent on the renovations that have already taken place.
“Would there be a lawsuit if the city doesn’t want anything to do with it anymore?” he asked.
Heizer said before she can give a definitive answer, she would have to study the original agreement. She said there are provisions that prohibit actions to bind future councils.
“I don’t know if we can say the city is committed to the project forever,” she said. “But, since the nonprofit was created and donations were accepted, there could be some serious issues.”
Another wrench was thrown into the mix when, during the meeting, former Mayor Tom Rubillo reminded council about an agreement he said was made many years ago.
He said Georgetown County (which owned the building before it was bought by the Tillers) had a deal with a group called the Georgetown Auditorium Preservation Society (GAPS).
Rubillo, who was mayor when the agreement was reached, said GAPS was supposed to get the building back if it was not restored by the city.
“You have to accommodate that,” Rubillo said.
Some councilmembers said they wanted more information about Rubillo’s comments.
No date was set for the Winyah Auditorium Corp. Board meeting.
: 11/8/2009
Anybody remember The Four Columns Foundation? No? They were folks who worked for three years to establish a foundation and board of directors to convert the Winyah Auditorium property into the Georgetown County Center for the Arts. They tried on several occasions to educate City Council as to the huge task that comes with assuming the responsibility for a potential arts center. Yet, the property was basically given away. Not only did we lose the possibility for developing a premier arts center on the east coast of South Carolina, we have lost thousands and thousands of dollars in potential investment in our area. Why? Because industry and investment always follow the arts. It's a joke to think that the City could adequately equip a state of the art auditorium and then actually operate it! Ticket sales and A-tax money won’t begin to fund this project. It's such a shame that the building was squandered for a commercial enterprise. My heart grieves for such a loss for our city.
SELL IT. : 11/6/2009
I say SELL it to a private entity with the stipulation that it be finished with the state of art equipment it needs. ie a Carolina Opry south or whatever. Find a Calvin Gilmore or a Dolly Parton or whomever has money to finish it and make into something they can make money with (ie local jobs)Even if you have to sell it for pennies on the dollar. Just get the city and all these of these other groups out of it. It is obvious none of them are ever going to do anything with it cause they cannot seem to get or raise enough funds to finish it properly. GET OUT, SELL IT
: 11/6/2009
A-tax, B-Tax, it doesn't matter. Georgetown will always get only the handful of tourists it gets now because the city is a filthy dump. Take a look around. It isn't filthy just from the steel mill either. You can't paint a few buildings on Front Street and expect crowds to come.
: 11/4/2009
Nameless, I am not bitter and I am very well aware of what the A-tax is used for. The SFP receive a a small amount every year and it is only for media type purposes. To ADVERTISE or PROMOTE an entity. The Chamber uses it for the promotion of the city as a wholeIt cannot be used for maintenance or upkeep or renovations or basic day to day operational needs. So get your FACTS straight. I recently chose to purchase a house in this city, which I love, at a time when all seemed well and now everything seems to be going to hell in a handbasket and very few seem interested in doing anything to curtail the wild growth and shortsightedness that has taken place. So BY GOD I will speak until my fingers and vocal chords no longer allow it. If you have a problem with citizens trying to keep their elected officials in check and watching what is happening on a local level then maybe you should relocate somewhere the Gov. thinks for you. Sounds like you may be happier there. I hate that what I say has angered you to proverbial boiling point. I am willing to discuss anything with anybody at anytime. City Council meetings are not exactly easy for me to get to at the time they are held. By the way other than these two financial quagmires please tell me what else I have taken to task to upset you so. I think this is a beautiful city with great potential and wonderful residents. I believe in small businesses run by local families instead of big chain stores. I believe in a simpler time. One in which we were not so rushed and did not seek out every convenience on earth. And to sign off on this--The auditorium is a beautiful piece of history. Much like Kaminski House is. That is a drop in the bucket to keep up financially compare to what the auditorium is facing. It would be better in the private sector's hands. Run by donations, grants, etc. Than being intertwined in some legal chaos that no one seems to be able to figure out.
: 11/4/2009
Lee, do you do anything with your life besides sit around wondering what you can slam the city for next? I know your man lost the race and you are bitter but this tirade of "everything they do is wrong" is getting old. At least get your facts straight. A-tax can be used for almost anything that will attract tourists. The Winyah Auditorium will do just that, therefore it qualifies.
: 11/4/2009
I like the city hall idea. Buy it from the Tillars and let them lease their office spaces
: 11/4/2009
A-tax monies are for advertising purposes not for operating expenditures. I know this place is a soft spot for many residents; however, to properly light and sound the auditorium for the purposes they wish to use it will cost tens of thousands of dollars and then there is the matter of having trained staff to operate the light and sound boards. The bulbs are by no means inexpensive to replace and honestly they do not last very long. Gels, to make colored effects for the lights, are not cheap either. They are going to need speakers, microphones, music stands, music stand lights and the list goes on. Will there be a moving curtain or hand controlled. Has the auditorium been tested for acoustics to see if sound panels need to be installed. This just goes to show the shortsightedness of how things happen around here and the big picture is never taken into consideration. We now have City Hall south to bring into the 21st century. I am just not sure how much more the city can afford to spend without raising rates again. Small businesses are closing at an alarming rate, impacting families locally. The chain stores seem to be holding their own for the time being but what happens when they begin to go. We have not seen the last ripple associated with this weak economy and with a declining population the rest of us will be footing the bill.
: 11/4/2009
Maybe city hall could move there and at least when it rains you wont have to have a boat or ferry to get to it.
: 11/3/2009
Council may have had some turnovers but what about the city attorney at that time. Did he/she not know the law?
: 10/30/2009
You may be right about this being a mess but, keep in mind, not everyone who is currently on council was a council member when this agreement was signed in the early 2000s
: 10/30/2009
What a mess! The Winyah Auditorium is never going to generate sufficient revenue to pay its maintenance and operating expenses. Taxpayers are going to again be stuck paying the bill for City Council's shortsighted decisions.