Albert Lea is nearing the deadline for artists to sign up if they are interested in being surveyed about the affordable live/work artist studios currently being considered for the historic Freeborn National Bank building. On Dec. 18, the City will submit a mailing list to Artspace Projects Inc. to then be used for a postcard mailing in January notifying artists of the upcoming market survey.

In May of this year, directors from Artspace Projects Inc. spent two days in Albert Lea visiting with city staff, community leaders and artists about the possibility of developing housing for artists in the downtown. That visit resulted in the Minneapolis-based arts development company asking Albert Lea to move ahead with the next step and complete an in-depth market analysis. Asking artists and arts organizations about their needs and preferences for space is not only required by Artspace but critical for a successful project. The survey is used to assess the depth of the market, demographics, and specific artists’ needs. Artspace plans to go live with the online survey in January, so please let us know if you, or other artists you may know in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa, want to be included in their mailing.

Because of Artspace Projects’ 30-year history of successfully revitalizing buildings and creating live/work spaces for artists at below-market rates, they receive 10 calls a month from communities hoping to be candidates for a housing project. We were thrilled to be selected for the feasibility visit and were very aware that only five to seven cities per year are then invited to complete the market analysis.

Artspace makes a very significant investment into each of their projects and bases their decision to survey a region on several factors, including strong local leadership, community support for the arts, and investment into redevelopment. After a strong show of support by leadership, artists and community members during the May visit, they felt that Albert Lea was prepared to continue working with them on the idea of transforming the Freeborn Bank building into an affordable housing project for artists.

By renovating buildings and leasing them back to artists at below-market rates, Artspace has helped stabilize neighborhoods and strengthen commercial districts across the country. Each project is funded through a combination of local and state development grants, low-income housing and historic tax credits, bank loans and philanthropic contributions. If our market analysis identifies sufficient interest and income-qualified artists to fill a live/work project, Artspace will begin looking into available funding options to move the concept forward.

At 7 p.m. Jan. 6, Artspace directors, Roy Close and Stacey Mickelson will be in Albert Lea to kick off the artist market survey. Please join us at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center that evening as we welcome them back to Albert Lea!

Reminder to artists: The mailing list is being assembled now, so to be included you must contact Wendy Flugum in the Community Development office at 377-4315, or wflugum@city.albertlea.org.

I encourage everyone’s participation in the Jan. 6 meeting — let’s continue to show Artspace that their first impression of Albert Lea remains the same, and we want to be part of their 100 percent project success rate!

I have enjoyed serving as your mayor and working positively toward a greater and stronger Albert Lea. As I leave the mayor’s office, I will continue to encourage Albert Lea to seek opportunities and strive for excellence.

Albert Lea Mayor Randy Erdman’s column appears monthly.