ANDERSON – Anderson city officials are working with a new developer to save the iconic Wigwam structure for a variety of uses in the future.
City officials are working against a Sept. 2 deadline set by the Anderson Community School board of trustees to transfer ownership of the Wigwam complex, or the building could be demolished.
“We now have a very credible partner that gives us a way forward,” Greg Winkler, executive director of the Anderson Economic Development Department, said of the ongoing discussions. “That doesn’t mean it will happen.”
The Anderson Redevelopment Commission on Tuesday will consider a resolution to include all 61 parcels comprising the Wigwam and athletic field to the west in a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district and an amended Redevelopment Plan.
A TIF district uses the property taxes collected from new development to pay for infrastructure and other improvements in the designated area.
If all the pieces of the puzzle fall into place, the Anderson Community Schools Corp. will transfer ownership to the Redevelopment Commission, which will in turn give the ownership to the private developers.
ACS has pledged to give $100,000 to the project. The estimated cost of demolishing the Wigwam complex is $700,000.
Winkler said previously the TIF and Redevelopment Plan were expanded to include the Edgewood Plaza and the Guide properties on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
“At the request of the current developer, we are asking to include the Wigwam properties into the TIF and Redevelopment Plan,” he said. “The current developer is going to seek housing tax credits from the state.”
Winkler said the deadline for the application is Nov. 1 and by being a part of the TIF District and included in the Redevelopment Plan secures additional points in the application process.
The developer is considering using the classroom space at the Wigwam complex to create senior housing. Winkler said the developer will provide financial information and will set up an escrow account to repay the Anderson Redevelopment Commission about $20,000 for the utility costs, if the project doesn’t move forward.
“The developer has done these types of projects successfully,” he said. “In addition to the senior housing project, they are willing to rehabilitate the athletic portion of the building.”
Winkler said the developer is working with a local Community Development Corp. that would eventually take ownership and do the programming for the Wigwam and athletic facilities.
There are four goals to make the project happen: The developer takes ownership of the Wigwam properties; senior housing; involvement of the Community Development Corp. with the athletic facilities; and a use for the vocational education space.
Last month, Wigwam Sports & Entertainment (WSE) backed out of a deal to take ownership of the Wigwam complex because of financial problems.
“Overtures have been made to WSE,” Winkler said. “They would have no ownership in the project, but could do some programming. They are not out of the mix.”
The Wigwam complex, formerly part of Anderson High School, was shut down several years ago. School district officials cited the expense of maintaining the structure. The complex includes the world's second-largest high school basketball gym, seating almost 9,000.