Jacksonville, OR — Britt announces the purchase of two properties in Jacksonville. The properties are at 410 S. Fir Street, formerly owned by Donald and Jo Anne Gordon, and the vacant lot at Lot 1, Block 52, formerly owned by Anne Brooke Hawkins. The Deeds were recorded this week.
Photo by David Gibb Photography
Britt’s Master Plan has long included plans to purchase these properties, in the event they became available. The Master Plan calls for these properties to be used for patron parking. The Master Plan was approved under the Conditional Use Permit by the City of Jacksonville.
Longtime Britt supporter Anne Brooke Hawkins, along with her late husband Mike Hawkins, granted Britt purchase rights to the property listed above in 2000. Brooke Hawkins says, “our dedication to both Britt and the City of Jacksonville prompted this decision, to help assure that appropriate parking and green space were available.”
“This is very exciting,” says Britt Board of Directors President Ken Trautman. “We’ve been hoping for this opportunity for years, and we look forward to working with the City of Jacksonville and Jackson County to build plans in earnest to alleviate some of the parking challenges in Jacksonville.”
The properties are currently zoned for residential use, and any changes will be subject to approval by the City of Jacksonville. For now, the Fir Street property, which includes a residence, will be a rental property, and the rental income will make the property self-sustaining for Britt.
The properties were paid for by a combination of funds from Britt’s building fund, and a mortgage of $171,000. Executive Director Donna Briggs says, “Britt’s restricted building fund was established in 1996 to fund strategic property purchases and capital improvements, and was created from earned revenue (not contributed revenue).”
These purchases make Britt a property owner for the first time. Britt operates the Britt Park under a long-term lease with Jackson County.
Britt Festivals invites audiences and artists to celebrate the joy of live performance, the power of community and the magic of the Britt Experience. Through ongoing education and audience development programs, Britt connects audiences to the inspirational power of classical music, and helps new generations of listeners discover the wonder of music and performance. In addition to presenting concerts, Britt Festivals maintains an education program through the Britt Institute. Established in 1985, the Britt Institute hosts a variety of programs including summer camps, workshops, elementary school activities, lectures and “meet the artist” opportunities.