City committee gives green light to Little Theater project
"The community will be enhanced with another cultural venue." - MAYOR HENRY JOLLY
By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Staff Writer larry@gaffneyledger.com

If things go according to plan, the former Browns Furniture building could be home to a new cultural events center within two years.

The City of Gaffney Building and Grounds Committee on Friday agreed to acquire the building in a memorandum of understanding with the Gaffney Little Theater. The Hinton family donated the 2-story structure to the Gaffney Little Theater several years ago.

"The Gaffney Little Theater doesn't have the funds to do the project, so they will turn it over to us and we can restore it," Gaffney Mayor Henry Jolly said.

The agreement still needs full council approval.

The Gaffney Little Theater would remain the event center's primary tenant, but Jolly said the center also would seek to fill up dates with exhibits and shows more fitting for a smaller type venue rather than larger seat Fullerton Auditorium at Limestone College.

The project will be financed with hospitality tax revenues, private grants and donations, according to Jolly.

The project could be complete within two years, Jolly said.

"This will be another plus for our community," the mayor said. "The community will be enhanced with another cultural venue."