It’s official.
On Thursday, March 31, the International Civil Rights Center and Museum in downtown Greensboro closed on the $10.25 million purchase of the former First Citizen’s bank building next door – taking the first big step on the long journey of attempting to be designated as a World Heritage Site.
Museum backers say the coming expansion and enhancement of the existing museum will earn the historic museum that landmark status and bring more tourism and activity to Greensboro and more attention to Guilford County.
Guilford County government is providing $2 million over the next half decade, as is the City of Greensboro – and each of those local governments has agreed to pay $1 million this year, with the rest of the funds to be paid over the next five years.
On Thursday, after the deal was inked, Chairman of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners Skip Alston, a co-founder of the civil rights museum, said that he was delighted with the progress.
Now the museum has the task of raising a lot more money to pay off the building purchase over a five-year period – and create exhibits and meeting space in the new building as well as renovate the exhibits in the old Woolworth’s building on South Elm Street where the historic national Sit-In Movement began in 1960.
“The entire project is going to cost about $25 million or $30 million,” said Alston, who added that he’s confident the State of North Carolina, charitable foundations, philanthropists and others would come through with the needed money in the coming years.
“We’re asking the state for $15 million and asking the federal government for $3 million,” Alston said.
He added that the money would be used to renovate and repair the old First Citizen’s building and also be used to spruce up the interior and exterior of the existing museum that contains the famous lunch counter where four students from what is now North Carolina A&T State University sat down and asked to be served 62 years ago.
“We’re fixing up the building to improve curb appeal,” Alston said.
Always asking for a hand out from tax payers. Must be ok because year in and year out the hand is open asking for more. Since inception of this rathole, has this venture ever made a confirmed profit?
What a vast money pit for all. You know where you’re going to get the money to support this losing fiasco is the taxpayers so quit saying you’re seeking funds elsewhere.
Everyone in the photo are thieves and should be in jail.
Liberalism is a mental disorder. Therefore the liberals will give these characters all the money they ask for. They got what they wanted from the city and county and now they are assured of getting 15 million from the state.
Modern conservatism is joke. A literal comedy of lies that can only be believed in the context of humor.
Without public funding much of our American historical artifacts would be lost. Do you not support the museums that are publicly funded in Washington DC?
Hey Chris, if you’re so concerned about our history being preserved why did you support the distruction of so many of our historical monuments during the riots over George Floyd’s overdose?
Designate as a World Heritage Site. How about opening a hot dog stand on the moon? Same chances of ever happening. It took me all of 10 mins of reading on their site to come to this conclusion. There is nothing wrong with having high target goals, but be realistic, and don’t throw it out there like it is a sure thing if the museum buys a bigger, more expensive building . One of World Heritage’s first rules, with filling out the paper work, is to have “carefully prepared documentation with thorough and consistant procedures” . Well, past experience with the museum, give us all an idea how that rule will fair. Civil Rights Museum , all for it. A complete city block of valuable property on the hopes of raising $25 to $30 million to sit stagnate for years…. well thank you city and county. Just wow.
No one seems to be concerned that if this new acquisition is owned by a non-profit with a property tax exemption, it might be taking it off the tax rolls at about a $135,000/year loss. (Fully 1/3 of Yvonne’s generous take this year).
It seems that the documents were so convoluted on the ICRCM Woolworth’s property that citizens couldn’t tell who owned what, but that it turned out the museum didn’t own the Woolworth’s building as everyone thought, that it was owned by private parties and leased to the museum. Whether that is fully accurate or not……
Just who owns this new property?
Skip and pals or the ICRCM?
Will it remain on the tax rolls?
Does the city of Greensboro still have representation on the Board of Directors of the museum?
For $2M, why have the citizens of Greensboro not been fully informed with the answers to these questions?
Whose name in on the deed of both buildings?
And a new C8 for Skip.
Will the money go to the museum or in pockets? Will the museum give back to the taxpayers? Remember those who voted to give away our tax dollars without the opportunity to be heard come election time. I am ashamed of those who voted party line without listening to the people they represent. Spineless cowards!
What a waste! Classic fleecing of the taxpayers. We won’t even talk about Skip’s part in it. Just because it’s legal, doesn’t make it ethical, and just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Ultimately he’s the one who has to live with the decisions he’s made and still sleep at night.
I agree with the majority of Greensboro/Guilford Co. residents. This is nothing than money pit. It will not increase tourism as Greensboro really has nothing to offer a tourist. I as m sure that recent property tax assessments, (that went up )
will be used to fund this ridiculous project.
Greensboro needs much more. Kip
Well we’ll look at the picture slick earl is back. So the skip and earl dog and pony show continues.
Wow! I didn’t know the hatred for this museum was so rabid. Greensboro and most cities and states have used taxpayers money on things like this and much worse. With all the blood, sweat , tears and wealth that the kidnapped African slaves contributed to the existence of these southern states and the nation, I would say the preservation of just one unjust story for all to see and know is minimal.
You so really screwed up if you in any way believe that this is a “just “entity. Skip and earl have done nothing but fleece the taxpayers
It’s not about the museum, it’s about the two who have benefited the most from the museum. Guess what? It is not the citizens or the community.
Al you forgot to mention that the majority of the slaves were kidnapped and sold to slave traders by their own kings No one ever mentions that part and according to the Bible that Africa held the Jewish people as slaves for a very long time
Al, I am ashamed that the atrocity of slavery occurred in the greatest nation ever created by man. As a matter of fact I think this fine nation should gather ALL of these victims of the great kidnapping you speak of and be dropped of where they were kidnapped from with a very sincere apology. I think the bad ol U.S. should purchase some acreage and a mule somewhere in I don’t know, say, West Africa for these kidnap victims. I mean that’s what we need to do to make things right. Welfare programs, multiple government grants and give aways, scholarships, Their own tv channels, award shows specifically for one race(discrimination) HBCU? Affirmative action, MWBE! Yeah, I think a ride back and an apology on the world stage. Who in hell would want all that has been provided to these kidnap victims? It must be horrible living in this country. If I were a descendant of this atrocity and forced to live in this SYSTEMICALLY RACIST COUNTRY I’d get the hell out as fast as I could! The most confusing thing for me is all of these democrats call this country systemically racist against people of color but have opened the border and bring in hordes of PEOPLE OF COLOR! Shameful!
Just send the money on to Skip and Earl and stop pretending.
I’ve only lived in the area 8 years. Greensboro is a great place to enjoy. Last time I checked it was $10 per person to go into the exhibit. Every time I have people in town and we go by the museum I’m looking at $60-$100 to go in…I explain what happened here and keep on walking. On another note I’ve only ever heard of problems and mismanagement issues to go along with the financial woes with the current facility. I’m not sure how making this project more grand will help anything but good luck.
how will this make money? to sustain it self?