To

Mayor and Council

Subject

Ma Rainey House

Initiator

City Manager's Office

Recommendation

Approval is requested to submit an application and if approved accept a grant \n \n in the amount of $149,000 from the Federal Save America's Treasure to \n \n rehabilitate the Ma Rainey House.

Approval

Approved

Background

The Ma Rainey House was built in 1935. The house in which she lived in until

her death. The house was purchased and stabilized by the City in 1991 and is

in total need of restoration. The Friends of the Ma Rainey Museum of the Blues

Inc., is a nonprofit organization founded in 1995, would like to create a

living memorial to "The Mother of Blues" Ms. Gertrude "Ma" Rainey a great

influence of blues music. By establishing a living memorial, the Friends of Ma

Rainey would be offering a highly artistic and visual year round program of the

blues. The Rainey home will be an art and cultural opportunity for the general

public and music specialists to hear any or all songs she composed and recorded

in her development of the Blues. This will also preserve the only permanent

home Ma Rainey ever had. Congressman Sanford D. Bishop took an interest in

this project and has been able to assist with Federal funds to help renovate

the house.



The City proposes to contract with the Friends of "Ma Rainey" to operate and

maintain the house once the renovations are complete.

Analysis

The City has the opportunity to receive a grant in the amount of $149,000 to

rehabilitate the Ma Rainey House. The matching funds will be funded from the

1999 SPLOST ($151,000). Acceptance of the funding mandates the City grant a

50 year Preservation Easement to the State Historic Office.

Financial Considerations

Matching funds could be provided through the 1999 SPLOST ($151,000). The

grant in the amount of $149,000 is available from the Save America's Treasures

Project. The project budget for the rehabilitation is $300,000. The Liberty

District Redevelopment Project will be adjusted and a Ma Rainey Project will be

established to accept the grant funding.

Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement

Legal Considerations

Council must approve the filing of all grant applications.

Recommendations/ Actions

Approval is requested to submit an application and if approved accept funding

from the Federal Save America's Treasure.

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