Birthplace of Country Music Alliance Unveils Conceptual Plan for Cultural Heritage Center

At a press conference on September 29 at the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, officials from the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance unveiled the conceptual plan for the new Birthplace of Country Music Cultural Heritage Center in downtown Bristol. In September 2004, the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance announced that local businessman Steve Johnson donated a 24,000 square historic structure at 520 Cumberland Street in downtown Bristol, for use as a new facility. Over the past twelve months, the organization has been working with architects and museum designers to develop the plan. “We have been hard at work to transform this facility into a showcase for downtown and to help further establish Bristol as a tourist destination,” commented Bill Hartley, Executive Director of the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance. Hartley added that today’s announcement will give the community a glimpse of what that potential can be.

The new facility will include temporary and permanent exhibits that trace the history, cultural influences, and development of country music through a sequence of audio-visual experiences which will allow visitors the opportunity to listen to the melodies and encounter the rich musical tradition first hand. The facility will also include space for educational initiatives through educational programming for all ages, live musical performances, lecture and film series, and other outreach activities. The renovated structure will provide BCMA with a permanent facility to house its operations in furtherance of the organization’s mission, “To tell the story of the musical and cultural heritage of the region, its role in the birth and development of country music, and its influence on music around the world.”

Fred McClellan, President of the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance, commented that  the first phase of the Cultural Heritage Center had come in ahead of time and under budget, noting the variety of funding the project had already received from state, federal, and local sources. “We will continue to build support throughout our community for the project.”The new Cultural Heritage Center will attract over 75,000 annual visitors with an economic impact of over $43,232,806 over five years. Officials estimate the total cost of the project at $9,504,000; including for $1,463,000 design, $4,100,000 for construction, and for $3,941,000 exhibits. McClellan stated that we now have answers to some of the questions that had been asked of the organization. “Our next step is to work with a fundraising consultant to develop a plan to fund the project,” McClellan stated. He added that the organization has already been examining the potential role historic and new market tax credits could play in financing the project. The project could be completed by late 2007 or early 2008, depending on funding and other considerations.

According to a recent economic impact study produced by the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center, over a five year period, the new Birthplace of Country Music Cultural Heritage Center will, at a minimum, have an economic impact of over $43,232,806 to the region and generate $1,041,253 in direct tax revenue that will flow into local and state coffers. Lisa Meadows, President & CEO of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce commented on the impact the new museum will have on Bristol, “The projected impact of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum from the Weldon Cooper Center is quite impressive. It is very rare that an economic development project of this magnitude not only will have a tremendous impact on the economy and create jobs within the region, but this will also help to preserve the history, heritage, and quality of life in Bristol. In addition, this project will bring thousands of additional, new people to downtown – having the potential to be a catalyst of further development, including hotels, convention center, retail, entertainment, additional “loft living” and other.”