If I Had My Way
Whether or not the historic Fargo City Detention Hospital has a chance to become an Artist Collective Co-op and Gallery is an unknown, and will be for a couple of weeks.
Seven purchase offer bids were submitted Monday to the Cass County Commission for the 1911 building listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. The highest was $123,000. The lowest, submitted by this writer and James Wolberg, founder of Roberts Street Studio and Upfront Gallery, was for $1.
Vacated by Head Start last November, by December the Commission opted to transfer ownership over to the Fargo Housing Authority for $1 so the building could be razed and replaced with low-income housing.
That concept was abandoned in mid-January when the Horace Mann Neighborhood Association voiced their opinions about the Detention Hospital.
They wanted it to stay if possible.
And a good thing they spoke up, because now there is a real, honest-to-goodness community dialogue about the future of the building. The Commission made sure to include representation of the neighborhood association as well as the historical society in appointing a committee to review the seven bid proposals.
Located at 11th Ave. N. and Elm Street in Fargo, the Hospital overlooks Williams Field. When it was built there, it was out on the edge of nowhere. The three stories had separate entrances, so as to provide effective quarantine from the unknown diseases of the time.
That was nearly 100 years ago. What was built with reinforced concrete technology for purposes of sanitation and functionality now has an opportunity to enter its second century as an entirely new creation.
The grand old building just might be saved and converted into a new kind of asset.
That one of the possibilities is the notion of converting the building into an Artist Collective Co-op and Gallery is really exciting, to say the least.
“The Artist Collective Co-op and Gallery will be a home to working artists and will serve as a complementary addition to a vibrant and engaged neighborhood. The basement and first levels of the building will be a mix of working artists, show / gallery space, performance and rehearsal space, and commercial or non-profit entities as partnering tenants,” our bid proposal to the County Commission read.
“As required, the top floor apartments will rent to low-income families or individuals, however we will attempt to occupy those apartments with qualifying working artists who will play integral roles in the broader collaborative effort…The parking lot is ideal for weekend art fairs and mini-festivals, especially during high-traffic baseball events across the street with visitors sometimes from all over the world.”
All over the world, in cities great and small, there are examples of art centers. Usually they are the result of an emerging availability, like in this instance, space, or a building. But that is what is good about the creative mind, filling space creatively.
Artists will be one option for the community and neighborhood to consider as plans for the Detention Hospital are weighed.
It’s not necessarily about money. It’s about finding a good fit and it’s about strengthening a good neighborhood vs. weakening it, if that is possible. It’s about desire balanced with practicality.
To win over the community, we will have to provide a compelling case. We will have to show heart and ability. We will have to show support.
Jana Tronier of the Independent Artist Collective is assisting with non-profit status issues, while Preservation North Dakota acts as an interim non-profit fiscal agent. The National Trust for Historic Preservation in Denver is providing invaluable resources to our group.
If you’d like to help, it would be welcome. You are invited to a brainstorm at the HPR office on Monday, March 24, at 5 p.m. No matter which art medium you represent, speak up now if you are interested or have something to offer.
If it is supposed to happen it will. If the neighborhood finds a good fit, an idea they like, that’s the most likely horse to win this race.
Best of all, though, is that odds are good that the Fargo City Detention Hospital may be saved after all. That’s a victory beyond measure already.
See you Monday. If not, contact us with your best thinking.
Comments
8 months ago HighPainsBleeder said
What makes you think the community is somehow obligated to subsidize slacker pseudo-hippies and their “art”. Even if you con the neighbors and the relevant governmental bodies to allow you to acquire the property, you make no mention where the funds to operate your little nirvana will come from in future years. One might guess you’ll be looking for more handouts (taxpayers dollars) to continue your little socialist preserve. And if you think the Horace Mann neighborhood is going to embrace a bohemian artiste community and the inevitable baggage that comes with it, you are far more deluded than I had imagined. Good luck with this utopian pipe dream…
8 months ago Zadok said
Nice decoy: When are you going to get the guts to endorse a presidential candidate. Or that’s right: You’ve let Ed Raymond speak for you. [And he lives two states away.]
7 months, 4 weeks ago Lordy Lordy said
My oh my, who pissed in Rush Limbaugh’s cheerios? Where in the article did it say anything about using taxpayers dollars? I dont get it, anytime some liberal or a free thinking person brings up art, the righty’s attack. If it were a war, you’d be all for it. Art is okay, useless wars are not...Especially art that is backed privately (through fundraisers & private donations). And if it does come to a vote (ie taxpayers dollars) its pretty simple, vote against it. Im quite certain there are more idiots like you in this town that would vote against it.
7 months, 3 weeks ago HighPainsBleeder said
My oh my, who crapped in Geraldo Rivera’s huevos rancheros? Where in the article did it say anything about where the money to buy and run this leftist utopia was going to come from? The money obviously will be confiscated from people who do actual “work”, of course. I don’t get it, anytime some libtard or a free (from) thinking person brings up art, the people we demand pay for it attack. Art is okay, useless wars to stop the spread of a violent, anti-woman, gay-hating, murderously intolerant, religion/political groups are not. Especially art that is backed privately (through fundraisers & private TAX DEDUCTIBLE donations). And if it does come to a vote (like the millions being dumped into the Plains Art Museum and Trollwood Performing Arts, Fargo Public Library, hmmmm…don’t recall those votes) it’s pretty simple, vote against it. I’m quite certain there are more moonbats like you in this town that would vote to give every last dollar (of their neighbors money) to fund it.
7 months, 3 weeks ago Lordy Lordy said
Thats all you could come up with? I really expected more. At least something knowledgeable. Witty would have been too much to ask for, I realize that. I feel for ya pal.
7 months, 3 weeks ago HighPainsBleeder said
That’s all you could come up with? Wow, your debatn skilz are mad, homey. The way you refuted every point I made. Masterful. Your comment is the equivalent of “Oh yeah?”. Great comeback, Loser Loser…
7 months, 3 weeks ago Whatifyourewrong said
Take a pill HighPainsReader.
7 months, 3 weeks ago HighPainsBleeder said
Wow.... More dazzling commentary from Whatifyourewrong. I kneel to your superior intelect. *snort* Shall we discuss the knee-jerk response from Lordy Lordy? I make the case that this is an artistic boondoogle from the get go, and he assumes I am a war loving, Rush Limbaugh listening, right-wing nutter. My, how tolerant of dissent, how open to opposing opinions. I find it hilarious that those who claim to champion free speech and tolerance are the least tolerant, and most willing to shout down opposing view points. But then the followers of the Nanny State believe only they know what is best for us, and we should just shut up and pay for it.
7 months, 3 weeks ago Lordy Lordy said
I have absolutely no problem with freedom of speech or idiots like Bleeder man posting here. Even though its putrid and even childish at times, I love when people stir up controversy. Thats what this paper & the message board is all about. I just cant believe the guy (or girl) actually wants to read it because it infuriates him (or her) so much. Now Bleeder is saying he/she is not right wing. Im not so sure if he/she knows exactly what they are. Ive got my popcorn and cant wait for the response. Sorry I havent responded earlier...Please continue to post. Even if I dont respond, I always love your writing!!
You must be registered to post comments, register here.