Missouri Governor Jay Nixon announced Monday that the State of Missouri has reallocated $8 million in federal Recovery Zone Facility Bond authority to support the construction of the Grand Center Arts Academy, a public arts charter school in St. Louis on March 29, 2010.
Originally published March 29, 2010 at 8:05 p.m., updated March 29, 2010 at 8:05 p.m.
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon announced Monday that the State of Missouri has reallocated $8 million in federal Recovery Zone Facility Bond authority to support the construction of the Grand Center Arts Academy, a public arts charter school in St. Louis on March 29, 2010.
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon tours Pythian Hall in the Beaux Arts Building before announcing that the State of Missouri has reallocated $8 million in federal Recovery Zone Facility Bond authority to support the construction of the Grand Center Arts Academy, a public arts charter school in St. Louis on March 29, 2010.
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon tours Pythian Hall in the Beaux Arts Building before announcing that the State of Missouri has reallocated $8 million in federal Recovery Zone Facility Bond authority to support the construction of the Grand Center Arts Academy, a public arts charter school in St. Louis on March 29, 2010.
St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay stands in the Beaux Arts Building, commenting on the State of Missouri reallocating $8 million in federal Recovery Zone Facility Bond authority to support the construction of the Grand Center Arts Academy in St. Louis on March 29, 2010.
Gov. Jay Nixon announced Monday that Missouri has reallocated $8 million in federal Recovery Zone Facility Bond authority to support the construction of the Grand Center Arts Academy, a public arts charter school sponsored by St. Louis University.
The new school, which will occupy several historic buildings along Grand Avenue in St. Louis, will serve students in grades six through 12 from both St. Louis city and St. Louis County. The school will open its doors Aug. 16 in a temporary location, with an initial class of 225 students. As students progress, a new class will be added each year, until the school reaches a total enrollment of about 700 students.
The renovation work, which Nixon said is only possible because of the reallocation of that bonding authority, is expected to create more than 90 construction jobs. The opening of the new school will create more than 75 permanent jobs. The bonds will help fund the renovation of 115,000 square feet in two historic buildings in Grand Center: the Beaux Arts Building and Pythian Hall.
“The performing arts are a vibrant part of the unique culture and heritage in St. Louis, and proximity to world-class institutions, such as the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the Black Rep, will make this arts charter school a truly special place. This project is a wise investment of these federal recovery bonds, and I look forward to watching this innovative school come to life in historic Grand Center," Nixon said.
Located just across the street from Powell Symphony Hall and near the Fox Theatre, the school will provide students access to the city’s many cultural resources. Students will have the opportunity to take courses in both the visual and performing arts.
“The Grand Center Arts Academy will help young Missourians realize their full potential for musical, theatrical and artistic excellence,” said Craig Glover, chair of the Grand Center Arts Academy Board. “We thank the governor for his support of this important project, and we look forward to the good work this school will do in St. Louis for years to come.”
"I appreciate the governor and everyone involved for stepping forward to help make today a reality. Because of their efforts, Grand Center will now be the intersection of art, life, and education,” St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay said.
Recovery Zone Facility Bonds were approved as part of the federal recovery act in 2009. The recovery act granted the authority to issue the bonds directly to counties and certain cities. Under Missouri House Bill 191, signed by Nixon in 2009, counties and cities were able to waive their excess bond authority and reallocate that authority to the Missouri Department of Economic Development.
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