ROANOKE, Va. – Earlier this year, Total Action for Progress decided to put the Dumas Center for Artistic and Cultural Development on the market for sale for $1.075 million based on an assessment of its current value.
TAP is pleased that after widespread interest and several offers, an offer has been accepted that will allow TAP to get back to the business of making education, jobs and safe places to live a reality for those in need.
Throughout TAP’s ownership of the Dumas, the facility has operated at a loss, decreasing the amount of funds TAP has to address its mission to help individuals and families achieve economic and personal independence through education, employment, housing and safe and healthy environments.
During its ownership of the Dumas, TAP invested $821,574 of its own resources into the facility.
TAP has owned the property since the early 1990s when then Mayor Noel C. Taylor asked TAP to save it from demolition.
TAP not only fulfilled its commitment to save the facility from demolition, but it went beyond it.
Today, the Dumas has been fully renovated into a state-of-the-art, 178-seat theater conducive for musicals, plays, workshops, offices and community events.
Renovations of the Dumas were completed in two phases: Phase one was funded by a $212,000 loan from the City of Roanoke (later forgiven) and a $600,000 grant from the Department of Health and Human Services.
The funds were used to remove asbestos, shore up walls and create a usable stage, kitchen and restrooms. Phase two cost over $4 million and was funded by a variety of sources, including New Markets and Federal Historic Tax Credits, grants and donations from the broad community.
For more information about the risks of asbestos exposure you can go to:Â Asbestos page.Â
Due to a confidentiality agreement regarding the sale, the new owners will not be named at this time.
TAP believes that the new owners of the Dumas will keep the rich history of the Dumas alive so that the community will enjoy its presence for years to come.
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