Mayor Riley to lead groundbreaking at ACBA’s new campus site
May 14, 2015
CHARLESTON, SC – Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. will lead a host of civic officials, clergy and community residents at a groundbreaking ceremony, 12:30 p.m., Thursday, May 7, to mark the start of renovations to the historic Trolley Barn building, 645 Meeting Street, which will become the new campus for the American College of the Building Arts (ACBA). Also on hand will be ACBA’s President Colby M. Broadwater III, and Board Chairman Pierre Manigault. Open to the public, the event will also include representatives of HITT Contracting, Greater Charleston Empowerment Corporation (GCEC), a color guard unit from Military Magnet Academy, as well as college trustees, faculty, students and staff.
“This project served two purposes. As a vital resource to our community, it was important that the American College of the Building Arts be provided an opportunity to succeed. And also it re-vitalizes a long dormant building,” said Mayor Riley. Several years ago ACBA began working with the City of Charleston to obtain the Trolley Barn facility. Built in 1897, the structure is a superb example of 19th century masonry industrial architecture. Hitt Contracting will perform the renovations.
After two years, ACBA has secured a private development partner, received City Council‘s consent for the purchase of the building, got approval of the re-development plans from the Board of Architectural Review and has the required permits to begin the renovations. “By careful money management, the transformation of the entire 39,000 square foot facility is projected to cost only $3.4 million,” said James M. Waddell, ACBA’s Vice President of Operations and Finance. “Thus far, the College has raised $2.75 million and is in active discussions to secure the remaining funds.”
The warehouse-like Trolley Barn structure will be re-configured into classrooms, offices, library, and trade shops for the six craft specializations taught at the college including masonry, plaster, stone carving, carpentry, timber framing, and iron blacksmithing. ACBA is America’s only four-year college combining a full liberal arts curriculum with specializations in one of six classic building trades. “The College could ensure its future by expanding into a building with so much history relating to the purpose of the institution,” Broadwater said.
Since 2009, ACBA utilized two campuses: the Old District Jail on Magazine Street and a warehouse on James Island. The move to Charleston’s East side allows the school to consolidate operations and to continue its connection with the history of artisans who constructed Charleston. Renowned artisan Philip Simmons, a former East side resident, taught blacksmithing to many youths before his passing in 2009, and is considered ACBA’s “inspirational founder”. At Thursday’s groundbreaking, Mayor Riley will announce a new program to introduce unskilled, under-employed persons to basic training in carpentry, masonry and plastering, jointly operated by GCEC, ACBA and Historic Charleston Foundation. For information about the ACBA, visit: www.buildingartscollege.us.
