CITY OF BRENHAM PROCEEDS WITH MOU FOR POSSIBLE BARNHILL CENTER ACQUISITION
The City of Brenham is moving forward with possibly acquiring the Barnhill Center at the Historic Simon Theater.
Following an executive session, the Brenham City Council on Thursday agreed to develop a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Brenham Main Street Historical Preservation, Inc. to evaluate the city’s possible acquisition of the historic venue. The council also authorized paying up to $35,000 in interest payments to facilitate the potential acquisition.
City Manager James Fisher said the city is preparing a MOU to allow the city and the management team at the Simon Theater to work together on potentially transitioning ownership of the facility to the city. He said the interest payments will be used to allow for time to develop a business plan and consider multiple options.
At its meeting March 25th, the council approved an assignment of lease and MOU regarding the Simon Theater from Simon Theater Master Tenant, LLC to the Historical Preservation. The Master Tenant was created to allow the use of historic tax credits to assist in financing improvements to the facility. As the requirements and obligations for the tax credit program have been satisfied, there was no longer a need for the Master Tenant, thus leading to the lease assignment and MOU for the Historical Preservation.
The goal of the Historical Preservation, according to its president, Hal Moorman, is to turn the facility over to the city for use once the restoration project is complete.
The council will have the final say on approval of the MOU and transition options.