The long-awaited Cain Center for the Arts in downtown Cornelius finally has a date set for its groundbreaking.
Justin Dionne, executive director of the Cain Center, said Monday that the project would break ground on May 14. He did so at a presentation to the Cornelius Board of Commissioners while giving an update on the project's progress. Plans for the Cain Center were hatched in 2013, when $4 million of a municipal bond package was allocated for a downtown arts district.
The Cain Center will include a 400-seat theater, an art gallery and green space, among other features. It will be built on Catawba Avenue and anchor the arts district.
A 1.85-acre site owned by the town of Cornelius is currently being prepared to house the building. Demolition of existing structures at the site is underway and will be completed by the end of this month, Dionne said Monday. The town purchased the site in 2017 for $1.5 million, according to Mecklenburg County real estate records.
"One thing that really warms my heart is that when this all started out, it was a dream to help redevelop our downtown," Cornelius Mayor Woody Washam said at the meeting. "Because it needed a little help, still needs a little help. My belief today is it is on its way."
Dionne said at the meeting that $18.1 million has been raised so far for the $25 million project.
The center is named after Ericka and William Cain, who own Financial Independence Group in Cornelius and donated $5 million to the project in 2018. In total, Dionne said $11.6 million has come from private contributions and $5 million has come from Cornelius and Mecklenburg County grants. The county approved $1 million of funding for the project last year.
The remaining $1.5 million raised comes from the town's acquisition of the site, Dionne said. The town will donate the property to the Cain Center.
Deputy Town Manager Wayne Herron said at the meeting that the interest level from businesses regarding the arts district has been high. The Cain Center, coupled with Olde Mecklenburg Brewery founder John Marrino's proposed mixed-use development on Zion Avenue, has created momentum for downtown redevelopment, he said.
"We've had specific businesses wanting to be within eyeshot of the front door so that when people come out of shows, that particular business is visible," Herron said. "I think we have a vibrant and exciting future. (The Cain Center) is a great catalyst project and I think it is good for the town of Cornelius moving forward."