City approves revisions to Visitors Center project

The new Gaffney Visitors Center and Museum just got more affordable.

Gaffney City Council on Monday unanimously approved a revised architect's proposal that would reduce the project cost from $1.8 million to $1.25 million.

The architect's cut now will come to 8 percent of the total project cost, or $100,000. By way of comparison, the architect fee for the city hall project was 8.4 percent.

At council's request, the architect trimmed the cost by eliminating enhancement features in the basement. Gaffney Administrator James Taylor said the extra amenities weren't needed since the city planned to use part of the basement for storage.

The new center, which will be located in the former post office building, will house two art studios as well as a 3D studio and kiln, according to a preliminary design plan unveiled recently by the Greenville architectural firm of Craig, Gaulden and Davis.

The studios and kiln will require 2,250 square feet.

The museum will have a 1,200-square-foot gallery. A museum work room and storage room increases the square footage to 1,580, according to the design plan.

The building also will be home to the city's new visitors center, which will include a reception counter, visitor seating area, refreshment area, music alcove, offices for the director and assistant and a Gaffney exhibit area. The total space for the visitors center will be 1,644 square feet.

An area for civic functions, including a lobby, meeting room, catering kitchen and storage area totals another 3,170 square feet.

The city purchased the building last summer from Ralph Dickson of Gastonia, N.C after receiving a $400,000 appropriation in the state budget.

The city is expected to use its hospitality tax to cover the renovation costs.