Ideas that we have heard:
Old Time Music
Community Center
Active Arts Corridor: artisans can sell their wares and show us how it is done
Blowing Rock's Ensemble Stage: looking for a new home
Ice Skating Rink
Dance Studio
Exercise/Aerobic Facility
Yoga Lessons
Health "lab" for Senior Citizens: health information, healthy living ideas, nutritional information
Kitchen: teach food preparation, basic cooking techniques, cooking for special health related issues
After School Homework Center
Mother’s Morning Out place
Music Recording Studio: (computer driven) for local talent
Horticultural Area: local growers to teach "how to" lessons for local flora
Lease Room to the Banner Elk Kiwanis to hold their meetings
Hot air balloon event on the fourth
Culinary Arts
Hospitality program
BE Farmers Market
Attract Artists and Craft Persons
Appalachian Women Entrepreneurs program
Flea Market
Antique Show/Mall
Kiwanis: Permeant Stage, Additional Electric
Library
Community Space
Chamber of Commerce (Avery Co.)
Craft Shows
Weddings, Rehearsal Dinners
Rent Retail Space
Small Business Center
High Country Press
Committee Calls on Teachers, Alumni, Staff of Old Banner Elk School To Share Memories
Friends of the Historic Banner Elk School Donate Spiral Wishing Well for Fundraiser
How Does That Sound? Banner Elk Seeking Naming-Rights Donations for Historic School
Wold Donates $100,000 To Historic Banner Elk School for Naming Rights of Garden Area
Elk River Club Resident Pledges $100,000 for Historic Banner Elk Elementary School Project
Avery County Board of Commissioners Offers Old Elementary School To Town of Banner Elk for $1M
The Town of Banner Elk agreed to purchase the Historic Banner Elk School from Avery County in September of 2014.
The Historic Banner Elk Elementary School is a unique and iconic cultural resource within the heart of downtown Banner Elk. Built in 1939 as a WPA project during the Great Depression, the stone building served as an elementary school for seventy-one years prior to being converted into a business incubator site by the Avery County Board of Commissioners. The Town of Banner Elk wishes to preserve the historic site for future generations, expand much needed parking for the downtown business community, promote and sustain its tourism economy by providing a convenient and beautiful central area for festivals, fairs, and other cultural events, and enhance the appearance and character of downtown Banner Elk through complimentary uses of this space. Located on 5.390 acres in downtown Banner Elk, the property is located next to Tate-Evans Municipal Park and the Town of Banner Elk Greenway trail. The location of this site will allow the Town of Banner Elk to provide additional parking for its downtown merchants and is connected by municipal sidewalks to downtown businesses and other points of interest within the Town of Banner Elk. No other site is available within the Town of Banner Elk which would provide this amount of additional parking and opportunities with this level of convenience to the downtown community.
The Town of Banner Elk recognizes the benefits of government working to assist businesses within the community and providing the necessary infrastructure for the business community to succeed. The Town of Banner Elk feels that its lodging establishments, restaurants, and other businesses are closely tied to its scenic and idyllic character as a tourism destination. The Town of Banner Elk further feels that through promoting the preservation of historic sites such as the Historic Banner Elk Elementary School, increasing the number of opportunities for tourism and destination related events, and encouraging a healthy and vibrant downtown are important and vital needs of the Town of Banner Elk in planning for its future success. For these reasons, the Town of Banner Elk found that the purchase of the Historic Banner Elk Elementary School was a necessary and expedient acquisition for the Town. It will provide uses for Banner Elk citizens and the community at large as well as allow for planning for the future growth of the Towns businesses and tourism related industries.
The Town purchased the property from the Avery County for $1,000,000.00 with owner financing at a rate of zero percent interest over a 12 year term. The Town received positive response from the community for this purchase and it is the hope of the Town that the debt can be offset by donations from those interested in the property’s preservation and future use.
Have or are we planning to do an impact study on the grounds and building?
Do we have a plan on how to pay for the property?
When will we set up a committee to study this issue?
Are we going to put someone into the building to manage the property?
Will we publish a go to person for groups and events to contact?