The City Council approved a feasibility study that may lead to an industrial arts facility being built inside a large building on the former Georgia-Pacific mill site.

According to city staff reports, the feasibility study is the result of a year of research by city staff and community members. It includes a structural analysis of Dry Shed #4 and a market analysis. Fine woodworking, ceramics, glassworks, sculpture, weaving, textile arts, photography and other arts spaces would be available, according to the conceptual floor plan. The study was funded by a Community Development Block Grant.

"Analysis found that the market for industrial art studio space is sufficient to support the reuse of a portion, (30,000 to 52,000 square feet) of Dry Shed #4 as an industrial arts facility offering between 35 and 50 industrial arts studios," said staff reports. The dry shed was formerly used for storage of processed lumber.

The feasibility study noted the project would be more effective if it featured a gallery, events venue and an industrial arts education program.

Based on the results of artist surveys, a community-comprised steering committee and staff prepared a development program for the dry shed that includes 50 industrial art studios, two classrooms, a 5,000-square-foot gallery, a 2,000 square-foot event venue, bathrooms, administrative offices and a loading dock.

A structural analysis by Michael Butler of Dorsey Design determined the building is worth rehabilitating

and local contractor Tom Pryor estimated the construction costs at about $682,000.

Construction would require a community development block grant of $2.25 million and remaining costs could come from tax-exempt bonds through the state infrastructure development bank.

According to staff reports, the facility would benefit the city economically, would connect the central business district to the mill site as redevelopment occurs, would provide permanently affordable art studios, serve as a source of education and events and would help achieve many goals of the coastal general plan and mill site reuse goals.

Using data from other cities' industrial arts facilities, it was determined the facility could create 59 jobs and contribute $2.2 million in local sales and more than $82,000 in local tax revenues.

Council member Jere Melo commended the report and asked if spray-on insulation would meet the fire code, since the report says the dry shed's roof could not support the weight of sheetrock. Community Development Director Marie Jones said a sprinkler system would protect the entire building, since industrial arts tend to use power tools and generate sparks. She said local fire officials are not opposed to any building materials as long as the sprinkler system is installed.

Speaking as a member of the public, Amy Wynn said she was excited to see the process reach the next level of planning.

Steering committee member Debbie Lennox noted the connection between the city's and the mill site's redevelopment and suggested that the City investigate the historical value of other buildings on the site.

Having moved to Fort Bragg from Japan, woodworker Brian Newell suggested creating a "cultural bridge" by inviting lecturers and demonstrators from Asia and sending local artists overseas.

Art teacher Victor McCaslin, who has been doing ceramics for five decades, promoted the idea of having a local ceramics school and local shows.

Furniture maker Kerry Marshal suggested the inclusion of an exhibition space for out-of-area and traveling shows. Mayor Doug Hammerstrom later suggested that the hallways in the 52,000 square-foot complex could serve as exhibition areas.

Woodworker Paul Reiber noted the continuing existence of the Mendocino Coast Furniture Makers and called the concept "a wonderful thing for the community, for Fort Bragg and a chance to further the reputation that the coast has and continues to develop as a woodworking and craft center."

After little discussion and praise, the council approved the study unanimously.

The feasibility study is available for review at City Hall and on the city Website under current agendas, Oct. 26.