BY ADAM ATKINSON
North Country This Week

POTSDAM — With the asbestos cleared from the floors, walls and ceiling at the Creative Spirit Art Center at 6 and 8 Raymond Street, SLC Arts expects the center’s renovation project to move to the next phase.

That work could be finished after the first part of next year allowing the organization to move back in.

However, projected costs of the renovation have exceeded initial estimates due to the climb in the cost of materials and construction over the last couple years. SLC Arts needs to raise an additional $200,000 to cover the cost of the work.

"We are so fortunate here at SLC Arts to have an enthusiastic team working with us to make this dream a reality. Our board of directors, staff, and the capital campaign team we've been building are excited to get the last bit of funding to move forward,” said Maggie McKenna, SLC Arts co-executive director.

“This project is vital to our community and to our organization. We have a plan to cover the budget increases, but we could always use the support of community members who are dedicated to the potential of this great North Country community and our Potsdam-based center,” McKenna told North Country This Week.

The most recent cost estimate for the project is $778,000. St Lawrence County Arts Council, Inc., also known as SLC Arts, received a state grant of $578,000 by way of the Village of Potsdam’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative for the center.

However, SLC Arts officials say that since applying for the grant in Sept. 2022, costs of construction and materials have climbed, leaving $200,000 for the organization to raise from other sources.

“At this point, nearly every portion of the Creative Spirit renovation project has doubled in cost from the initial projection, which is in line with what many others across the country are experiencing. Due to these significant cost increases, our next phase of renovations, which is DRI-funded, has been scaled down,” SLC Arts said in a project update circulated via email.

Earlier this year, the organization moved out of the Creative Spirit center to its current temporary location at 45 Market St. so the renovation at Creative Spirit could begin. The project work thus far has included extensive asbestos removal from both 6 and 8 Raymond St.

SLC Arts has signed a contract with Northern Tier Contracting to take on the next phase of renovations starting Sept. 25. The firm is currently handling the second floor expansion project at the North Country Children’s Museum next door to the center.

The organization anticipates this phase to be complete by January 2024 and they hope to move back in to house their offices, meeting space, gallery, retail space and programs there.

This next phase of work will include the construction of two new restrooms, an elevator, and new electrical, heating and cooling equipment, plumbing and insulation.

The total $778,000 cost breakdown of the project includes: $530,000 for construction costs, $105,000 for asbestos abatement and environmental testing, $75,000 for elevator purchase and installation, $35,000 for architecture and design services and $33,000 for administration.

SLC Arts is working from a building loan to fund the upfront project costs but needs to pay that off, as well as raise the extra $200,000 they didn’t expect.

To make up the additional, unanticipated $200,000 cost overage, SLC Arts is trying to raise funds from corporations, foundations and donors.

To help with the project and donate to the cost, individuals and organizations can contact McKenna at maggie@slcartcouncil.org.