Vallejo Times Herald - Temple Art Lofts project celebrated for its promises for Vallejo
August 6, 2013
By Sarah Rohrs
At one time the old Masonic Temple was well on its way to becoming blight. But, after extensive renovation, the building is now Temple Art Lofts -- a project some consider proof that Vallejo is moving on to bigger and better things.
"A project like this is telling of a great city," said Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday inside the building at Marin and Virginia streets in downtown Vallejo.
More than 100 people crowded into the former Masonic Lodge meeting room to celebrate the project and note its promise for Vallejo.
Art is a key ingredient of the project, and what will push downtown's revitalization to new levels, several speakers said.
Professional artists are given preference for the airy, spacious units, and all residents can earn no more than 50 percent of the area median income.
A downtown retail space could hold an art-themed cafe and a community-based nonprofit, project manager Bernadette Austin said.
"This is an exciting day," Mayor Osby Davis said. "We have taken the next step to move us closer to our arts and entertainment district," he added.
Davis also said the project demonstrates the power of determination and positive thinking, and also that Vallejo is moving ahead.
"This is about not believing in 'can't' but believing in 'can,'" he said.
Large windows, views and spacious living quarters greeted many who walked through the building following the remarks.
The Temple Art Lofts project opened in March.
On the ground floor, some artists set up paintings, drawings and other art for a two-day show in the building's retail space.
Street pop and graphic artist Sean Murdock moved to Vallejo from Miami and said he likes the building and its possibilities. With some parts of the building yet unfinished, he said he hopes space will be set aside for artists who live there to show their work on the ground floor.
Domus Development President Meea Kang received much thanks for seeing the possibilities in downtown Vallejo shortly after the city filed for bankruptcy in 2008, and during an economic downturn.
A bank foreclosed on the building in early 2009 after the space housed numerous uses over the years. The Masons sold the building in 1978.
Kang, in turn, offered thanks to a team of architects, contractors, banks and government officials for working to make the project a reality. She said she bought the foreclosed building for $475,000 and poured $8 million into restoring it.
The city pledged numerous sources of money to help make the project a reality.
"Thank you for believing in the impossible, because we did it," Kang said to loud applause.
"A project like this is telling of a great city," said Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday inside the building at Marin and Virginia streets in downtown Vallejo.
More than 100 people crowded into the former Masonic Lodge meeting room to celebrate the project and note its promise for Vallejo.
Art is a key ingredient of the project, and what will push downtown's revitalization to new levels, several speakers said.
Professional artists are given preference for the airy, spacious units, and all residents can earn no more than 50 percent of the area median income.
A downtown retail space could hold an art-themed cafe and a community-based nonprofit, project manager Bernadette Austin said.
"This is an exciting day," Mayor Osby Davis said. "We have taken the next step to move us closer to our arts and entertainment district," he added.
Davis also said the project demonstrates the power of determination and positive thinking, and also that Vallejo is moving ahead.
"This is about not believing in 'can't' but believing in 'can,'" he said.
Large windows, views and spacious living quarters greeted many who walked through the building following the remarks.
The Temple Art Lofts project opened in March.
On the ground floor, some artists set up paintings, drawings and other art for a two-day show in the building's retail space.
Street pop and graphic artist Sean Murdock moved to Vallejo from Miami and said he likes the building and its possibilities. With some parts of the building yet unfinished, he said he hopes space will be set aside for artists who live there to show their work on the ground floor.
Domus Development President Meea Kang received much thanks for seeing the possibilities in downtown Vallejo shortly after the city filed for bankruptcy in 2008, and during an economic downturn.
A bank foreclosed on the building in early 2009 after the space housed numerous uses over the years. The Masons sold the building in 1978.
Kang, in turn, offered thanks to a team of architects, contractors, banks and government officials for working to make the project a reality. She said she bought the foreclosed building for $475,000 and poured $8 million into restoring it.
The city pledged numerous sources of money to help make the project a reality.
"Thank you for believing in the impossible, because we did it," Kang said to loud applause.