Monday, June 09, 2008

Hotel Jerome apartment project still possible

[Source: Philip Wright, Verde Valley News] -- The idea of turning the old Hotel Jerome into modern, affordable-housing apartments is still alive. That is primarily through the efforts of Town Manager Brenda Man-Fletcher and a small cadre of Jerome residents who believe in the project. Man-Fletcher held a public information meeting Wednesday night in Town Hall. Her presentation was both to let people know what has been done and what might lie ahead. It's all conceptual at this point. And Man-Fletcher isn't making any promises.

She's just trying to help the town figure out if the idea is viable or not. "We have a beautiful building," Man-Fletcher said. "Right now it houses two art galleries. We have two floors that are completely unfinished." She said when anyone tours those upper floors, flashlights must be used because there isn't any electrical service. The building is home to the Jerome Artists Cooperative Gallery, founded more than a decade ago to showcase the work of area artists. One of the subbasements is used each summer for the Jerome Kids Art Workshop.

[Note: To read the full article, click here. Photo source: Philip Wright, Verde Valley News.]