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Heritage association seeks $2.5 million city pledge for proposed Pratt museum
Summary
Representatives of the Tar Heel County Heritage Association updated the council on fundraising progress for a proposed 'Pratt' museum and asked the city to pledge $2.5 million over five years to leverage additional public and private funding.
Representatives of the Tar Heel County Heritage Association (presenting a project called "the Pratt") briefed the Prattville City Council on fundraising and design progress and asked the city to partner with a $2.5 million pledge to help leverage further public and private investment.
"The project has evolved, however, our vision has remained the same," said Cody Daughtry, who introduced the update and described the project as an "entertaining and interactive museum and venue" intended to celebrate Prattville's industrial history and support education and downtown tourism. Daughtry told the council the project will include exhibits and STEM activities aimed at all ages.
Jeremy Day, speaking as a heritage association board member and campaign cabinet member, said the campaign has "solicited nearly 50 families, corporations, and public and private entities" and reported more than $1.5 million already pledged by 20 donors, with an additional $7.7 million pending decisions and roughly 100–150 solicitations scheduled. Day said the project's legislative delegation at the state level is "championing our request to the state for $2,500,000." He and other presenters asked the city to pledge $2,500,000 over five years, saying that a city pledge would trigger additional investment.
Why it matters: the association is seeking a substantial local pledge intended to leverage state and private funds. If the council agrees to pledge city funds, the city would need to identify budget sources and set timing over a multi-year period.
What the presenters said they have done: the association reported site surveying and that it will engage an architect for design development; it has formed a campaign cabinet and provided an operating pro forma to show projected operating costs and revenue. The presenters framed the project as a downtown economic and educational amenity that would connect with development around the historic Mill Pond.
Council response: the council acknowledged the update. No formal council pledge or vote on the $2.5 million request was taken at the meeting; the item was presented as an update and a formal funding request for future consideration.
Provenance: presentation began when Cody Daughtry introduced the project and concluded after Jeremy Day's fundraising summary and the council's brief acknowledgement.
