GRAND PRIZE WINNER. Designed by Lescher and Mahoney in 1918 the Curley Elementary School is one of Ajo’s architectural treasures. In 2002 the International Sonoran Desert Alliance (ISDA) worked with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and was awarded a $5,000 planning grant. In 2003 the Pima County Board of Supervisors began converting the school into artisan lofts with a $100,000 Community Development Block Grant. By the time of dedication, the ISDA had secured funding in excess of $9 million dollars, including a $100,000 Heritage Fund grant. The completed project features 30 affordable “live and work” rental units for artisans. The restored auditorium and library remain open to the public. This project is viewed as both a historic preservation and an economic development effort. The hope is that the Curley School project will be just the beginning of Ajo’s economic renaissance. [Photo source: ISDA.]
1 comment:
The Architecture Company, a Tucson-based firm for almost 30 years, was the contracted architect for this fabulous restoration project, which has been incredibly beneficial to the entire Ajo community.
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