project background
A Vision Years in the Making. A Future We're Building Together.
The Key to the Future began with a simple but ambitious idea: secure the long-term future of arts, culture, and community gathering spaces in downtown Ridgway.
In 2019, Ridgway Chautauqua / Sherbino initiated a comprehensive facilities master planning process, working with architects John Baskfield and Kit Meckel of Conterra Workshop to explore opportunities for growth around the Sherbino Theater and 610 Arts Collective. The process identified the Cora Street property as an exceptional opportunity for expansion, with its central location, existing buildings, and considerable undeveloped land.
In January 2023, that vision took a major step forward when Ridgway Chautauqua / Sherbino and Weehawken Creative Arts jointly purchased 145 and 147 N. Cora Street with a loan. Through this equal partnership, the organizations secured a valuable piece of downtown property and began laying the foundation for a sustainable, interconnected arts and cultural campus.
From Property Acquisition to Community Activation
Since purchasing the property, our organizations have worked toward eliminating the remaining mortgage debt while continuing to explore how the buildings and land can best serve the community.
Today, our focus is turning this investment into opportunity.
Our immediate priorities are to retire the remaining property debt and transform the now largely unused building at 147 N. Cora into an accessible, flexible space for visual arts exhibitions, classes, rehearsals, workshops, meetings, and community gatherings.
The renovation of 147 N. Cora represents an important next step: putting an existing asset to work, expanding programming and community opportunities, and creating a more connected arts and community campus in the heart of Ridgway.
Our Journey:
From Vision to Reality
A Community-Powered Investment in Ridgway's Future
What began as a vision for a connected arts and cultural campus has become an extraordinary example of community generosity, collaboration, and long-term commitment.
2019 — Identifying the Opportunity
The Cora Street property is identified as a strategic opportunity for future arts and cultural expansion through the Sherbino's facilities master planning process, which also considered Weehawken Creative Arts' long-term space and programming needs.
2021 — Establishing a Foothold
Weehawken Creative Arts begins leasing 145 N. Cora Street, securing essential space and a first right of refusal should the owners decide to sell.
2022 — The Community Steps Forward
When the opportunity to purchase the property arises, many generous community members contribute $200,000 toward the down payments, making the shared vision achievable.
2023 — Securing Our Future
Weehawken Creative Arts and Ridgway Chautauqua / Sherbino jointly purchase 145 and 147 N. Cora Street, including the land behind the buildings, for $600,000. With $400,000 in owner financing, both organizations begin monthly mortgage payments supported in part by continued community generosity.
2024 — Sustaining the Momentum
Donor contributions and organizational resources help sustain more than $53,000 in combined annual mortgage payments, steadily advancing the goal of debt-free ownership.
2025 — A Major Leap Forward
With critical donor support, Weehawken and the Sherbino each make extraordinary $125,000 principal payments, reducing the outstanding mortgage balance by $250,000 in addition to regular monthly payments.
2026 — Approaching Debt Freedom
With the goal of retiring the remaining mortgage by year-end, attention turns toward renovating 147 N. Cora and preparing for the campus's next chapter.
Made Possible by Our Community. Built for Our Community.
From the original acquisition to the ongoing financial commitments and extraordinary debt reduction, community generosity has been essential at every stage.
Our community helped us secure the property. Now we're inviting that same community to help us bring it fully to life.
Looking Beyond the Buildings
The property also includes significant undeveloped land behind the existing structures, extending toward the alley. This provides an extraordinary opportunity to imagine what the next generation of arts and cultural spaces might look like in Ridgway.
While future development will require additional planning, partnerships, and fundraising, securing ownership of the property gives us the ability to explore those possibilities thoughtfully and strategically.
The buildings and land are ours. The possibilities are just beginning.
Our Next Chapter: What's Ahead
Finish Strong. Complete the retirement of the remaining property debt by year-end 2026, freeing resources for arts education, cultural programming, and community experiences.
Bring 147 N. Cora to Life. Transform an underutilized building into a functional, accessible, flexible home for visual arts exhibitions, workshops, rehearsals, classes, meetings, and gatherings.
Imagine What's Next. Explore the potential for future development on the land behind the existing buildings, creating additional opportunities for arts, culture, and community connection.
We've accomplished so much together. Now let's unlock what's possible.
Help Us Unlock the Next Chapter
Key to the Future is no longer simply about purchasing property. It's about making the most of what we've secured, strengthening the long-term sustainability of two community arts organizations, and creating places where people can learn, create, connect, and belong for generations to come.
Your investment helps transform that vision into reality.
