Artist Alley
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
PRAIRIE ARTIST ALLEY – DRAFT PROGRAM - JULY 1, 2008
Develop an Artist Live / Work Village with curb appeal
Use a mix of new construction and old buildings brought to the site
Retail oriented design studio in the front of buildings to create and sell art
Living space behind and/or above studio – 1, 2 or 3 stories
Artists complete the buildings - eclectic, funky, attractive – works of art
Artist Alley a diagonal from Washington / MacArthur with a cul de sac at each end
Alley is a sculpture with faux & real cobblestone, with patterns and sketches
Major sculpture an eclectic interesting windmill that also generates electricity in a pool of water
New urban development along the Artist Alley - vary the setbacks and design
Alley is pedestrian on weekends - an open art fair with outsiders permitted to set up and sell
Development is “Green”, with electric generating windmills / solar worked into the units
Intensely landscape - Sculpture garden in a sea of green
Vary types of buildings - straw bale, rammed earth, dome, pyramid, hubcap house, glass, etc
A sculpture pedestal in front of every house, & changed frequently. Ditto outdoor art
Artist Alley narrows from 40 to 10 feet wide. A 1/4 scale building / stage at southeast end
Cafe / pubs / store & B & B fronting Washington - “Richeys Never Inn”
Perimeter parking using diagonal parking, narrow street, faux cobblestone
One pathway leads into existing building for future interior expansion
Use TIF, Enterprise Zone, Historic Tax Credits, and Grants to help finance the development
Propose an ICC / Bradley University / 150 Building / artist training program on site
Phase 1
Construct 10 units, cost $1 million +- 60% +- back in TIF over life of development
Phase 2
Continue based on demand – 35 units+– cost $ 3.5 million +– 60% +- back in TIF
Phase 3
Continue based on demand into existing building -- 60% +- back in TIF
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