MACK rehab project reaches 100 days
New life for historic community arts center
The McCormick Arts Council (MACK)’s building project has now passed the 100 day milestone of Phase I.
The rehabilitation of the existing historic building is intended to ensure continued use as a community arts center. The project seeks to modernize the building in a historically sensitive way: installing new systems and utilities while increasing critical ADA accessibility for patrons.
Recent project highlights include the completion of critical abatement and demolition services, the installation of mechanical infrastructure, substantial progress in electrical, plumbing and framing. This project required an investment in the installation of water and sewer lines, which extended into the parking lot and park, are all now complete.
Director of Programs and Development Heather McNally briefly summarized the progress.
“We are happy to report that while we did discover some problematic items, mainly areas of rotten wood, damaged water lines and electrical challenges, the impact was minimal and solutions have corrected any issues. The project continues to advance on track, on schedule and on budget and we are striving to advance deferred work to include important life safety systems.”
The primary goal with this phase of investment is to provide the critical infrastructure for the historic Keturah Hotel, from which MACK operates:
- the ground floor accessibility will be substantially improved,
- gallery lighting and floorspace expanded,
- a reception area will greatly support the long term needs of the MACK’s organizational plans,
- and improve entrance and use of space, including accessible restrooms.
The project will feature a rehabilitation of the former lobby and parlor area which will serve to tell the history of our site and organization. A future docent program will assist with this programmatic goal.
Renovations will provide highly flexible spaces that will allow the MACK to continue to serve the community and visitors of McCormick County for many years and to enhance its cultural purpose in the community. Future steps include a new exterior egress stair and a new elevator addition for additional life safety and accessibility improvements. Additional programmatic investments will include a commercial kitchen, youth center, young adult studio, kiln room and event storage.
Columbia-based Boudreaux Group and Solid Structures are overseeing the project, made possible through the generosity and leadership of the Yoder Rosenberg Family Foundation, and contributions from community members.
The purpose of the MACK is to stimulate and promote the arts, increase access to the arts and produce arts programming for the benefit of the citizens of McCormick, South Carolina and the surrounding region. Learn more at mccormickarts.org.