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Regular Council Meeting August 13, 2012 Page 9 suffered a roof collapse due to a clogged drain, that the insurance claim filed against the 1609 restoration company was denied, and it was currently in litigation. Council Member Frierson said private donations in the amount of $6,300 had been given to this project. He said there were two main issues, one of which was the roof replacement. He reported that the estimated total roof cost was $120,000. Council Member Frierson said the second issue was the asbestos abatement and that one -third of the asbestos had been abated with grant money. He said the total cost to abate the remaining two- thirds was estimated to be approximately $200,000, with the City incurring a cost of approximately 20 %. Council Member Frierson said there were several options and the first one was demolition, which the exact cost had not been determined but best estimates exceeded $200,000. He said the second option was renovation by the City, which would exceed $750,000 but might become a place to be used for weddings, movie screenings, charity auctions, etc. Council Member Frierson said the third option was stabilization of the facility and either donate, sale or leave to a private entity. He told Council that at least one group of citizens was interested in rehabilitating the facility. Council Member Frierson said the abatement costs would be approximately $40,000 to $50,000, the roof and sign was estimated at $102,000 with a total cost of $142,152. He also said that funding options included funding from current funds, bond monies if passed at an election, insurance claim/litigation, private donations, Leadership Lamar County class project funds for sign and fagade, and applying for more grant money. He said if the project was approved by the Council, work could be completed and the structure secure and abated by the end of 2013. Council Member Drake said she was against demolishing the Grand Theatre. Council Member Wright said he would like to get to property in the dry and then make a decision. Council Member Lancaster said she was opposed to tearing it and down and thought they should partner with a group on this project. Council Member Jenkins agreed with Council Member Wright. Council Member Grossnickle said they needed to get it in the dry and expressed it would be a good place to have events. Mayor Hashmi said it did not make sense to demolish the theatre, that he did not have a problem with the City spending funds on the project but that the City should be reimbursed for those funds. Mayor Hashmi said he thought it should be a community project and then convey the property to whomever the Council felt was the best group or entity. Council Member Frierson agreed with Mayor Hashmi and suggested once the project was completed, that a memorandum of understanding be drafted setting out the terms of how the facility could be utilized. He also said if the City recoups on the insurance claim, Lamar County Leadership Class should be reimbursed so they could continue with their project. Mayor Hashmi offered to arrange an event or fundraiser to assist with the expenses. Council Member Frierson inquired as to when they could get started. Mr. Godwin said they could start right away. The Council expressed their appreciation to Council Member Frierson for all of his work on this endeavor. 18. Discuss and act on a request received from New Hope Center of Paris (formerly Models of the Maker) to amend the existing Services Agreement. Mayor Hashmi said the place was in bad condition and he thought they should grant their request. Council Member Wright wanted to know why they had the stipulations. Council Member Frierson said there was concern about the prior leadership and direction of the