The MACK Rehabilitation Project: REMOBILIZATION!

[McCormick, SC] The McCormick Arts Council (MACK) building project will resume all contracted scope of work originally scheduled to be completed in July of this year. “We are happy, and relieved, to report that we are able to fully remobilize to deliver the expected project needs of our current contract,” states Heather McNally, Director of Programs and Development. 

The SC Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation (SC LRR) approved the project plan for fire suppression systems in late July. McNally added, “While we are grateful for the state Fire Marshal’s approval, the process took nearly 6 months. We acknowledge that we faced related project delays.” 

During this time, however, the MACK utilized support through the South Carolina Historic Preservation Office (SCHPO) to facilitate a stabilization and weatherization grant and addressed necessary masonry repair and repointing work. McNally acknowledged the impacts the approval process caused for the project, “we managed, and are thrilled to announce to our various stakeholders that we are able to fully re-mobilize for the remaining contractual needs.” 

Background

The extensive rehabilitation of the historic Hotel Keturah (c. 1910) began in May 2022. The project proceeded with minimal challenges through January 2023. The complete scope of work to date includes the installation of mechanical, plumbing, and electrical infrastructure. In addition, water and sewer lines were installed extending investments in partnership with the Town of McCormick. Funding for this extension of infrastructure was partially reimbursed through the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA).

Additional ARPA investments and Capital Sales Tax funding were approved through the McCormick County Council to support the building project last fall. West Carolina Rural Telephone Cooperative (WCTEL) and Freshwater Coast Community Foundation McCormick County Donor Advised Fund also offered community leadership gifts to support the next identified needs. This gift allowed the MACK Board of Directors to advance the life safety systems (including fire alarms and fire sprinklers) scope of work by extending the contract to include an additional $200,696 for this investment. Contractors are scheduled to resume site work to complete the fire suppression system in the next few weeks.

Next Steps and Project Goals

The historic Hotel Keturah (c. 1910) was designated on the National Register of Historic Sites in 1985. Renovations will provide highly flexible spaces that will allow the MACK to continue to serve the community and visitors of McCormick County for generations. The next steps include a new exterior egress stair and a new elevator addition for additional life safety and accessibility improvements. Program plans include a commercial kitchen, youth center, young adult studio, kiln room, and event storage to enhance cultural programming in the community. 

“Currently we are in negotiations to advance the deferred scope of work to address the remaining HVAC and ceiling needs. We thank our regional legislators for their efforts to support important projects that impact our communities.” 

– Heather McNally

Renovations will provide highly flexible spaces that will allow the MACK to continue to serve the community and visitors of McCormick County for many years and to enhance its cultural purpose in the community. Future steps include a new exterior egress stair and a new elevator addition for additional life safety and accessibility improvements. Additional programmatic investments will include a commercial kitchen, youth center, young adult studio, kiln room, and event storage. 

BOUDREAUX and Solid Structures continue to oversee the project, made possible through a generous $1.1M gift through the Yoder Rosenberg Family Foundation and additional contributions from community members. The purpose of the MACK is to stimulate and promote the arts, increase access to the arts, and produce arts programming for the benefit of the citizens of McCormick, South Carolina, and the surrounding region. The vision of the organization is “Arts for All!”.