The Arcadia Fund
After the Arcadia Theatre burned in June 2006, BelmontNA contacted the owners of the building with a very unusual request...
Give BelmontNA the surviving marquee sign. We will use it to raise money for community projects such as Resident Parking Only. The funds will be used to improve the quality of life for residents within BelmontNA's boundaries.
In
late November, just two weeks before the theatre was to be demolished,
Dunhill Partners gave BelmontNA permission to remove the sign.
You can see how the sign was removed by clicking here.
Shortly after the sign was put in storage, the Kilgore & Kilgore law firm contacted BelmontNA about buying the sign for installation on the facade of the MADI Museum in Uptown, which houses their offices.
The sign was sold to the MADI Museum for $7,500, plus all expenses including renovation of the neon lighting and removal/installation. The total value of the transaction was $10,000.
The sign was rededicated on March 30, 2007 (story link) during a special event hosted by the MADI Museum and Kilgore & Kilgore.
In addition to the funds provided by Kilgore & Kilgore, United Towing donated $500, and another $750 was raised in a raffle featuring donations from businesses all along Greenville Avenue.
An online contest was held to choose the person would pull the switch. Ariana Ladd, who lives in the Lower Greenville area, was the winner..
To date, the Arcadia Fund has been used to pay for
- IRS Non-Profit designation 501(c)4 for BelmontNA
- Digital video camera and editing software
- Website expenses
- Printing expenses for events and neighborhood notices
As of August 13, 2007, there was nearly $7,200 in the Fund. You can see our current balance and membership count on this page.
The Arcadia Fund is being used to pay for Resident Parking Only programs in the Lower Greenville area. The first new street to get RPO designation will be the 5700 block of La Vista. Other streets are in process for RPO surveys and designation.