Many of you know that CoSM plans to transition to a property 65 miles north of New York City. This beautiful 40 acre site is walking distance from a NYC Metro North train stop. There are 6+ buildings for studios, workshops, conferences, retreats, offices, art exhibitions and an installation of the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors permanent art collection. The date of closing on this wonderful place is approaching.
After months of negotiations with the seller an agreement was made. The period of "due diligence" required by the mortgaging bank included tests on the property to protect our investment. Buried fuel oil tanks had to be dug up, tested for leaks, and registered with NY State. One small tank was found to have a dime sized leak. EnviroClean came in to remediate the land around the leak by digging out most of the offending soil and chemically treating the rest. Now it's time to test the soil again. If all goes well and the area is considered to be remediated, the site will be approved by NY Environmental Protection and we may have a closing on the property in June. We are very grateful to Rhinebeck Savings Bank for their protection and foresight, requiring these problems to be handled prior to closing.
(Some might recall how at one time we were looking for a "brownfield" -- a toxic site to transform into a sacred site. Well, we found one!!)
Thanks to Genoveffa Flagello, our real estate attorney, who has become a dear friend, for leading us through this lengthy process. Thanks also to Al Capelli, our local architect who has met with town officials on behalf of CoSM. Appreciation also to Emmanuel Saris, a lawyer from the area, who is consulting with CoSM and working on our behalf regarding real estate taxes and non-profit status. When permits are obtained, we look forward to having volunteers and professionals working on the property to renovate all six (plus) structures. After the closing, we'll start grooming the woods, gardening, sheet rocking, painting interiors, correcting dampness, roofing, shingling and many other jobs the site requires.
For as long as one year, CoSM will be in a "chrysalis" with all paintings in storage, until the new exhibition space on the property is prepared for installation. If you have not been to the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors in New York City and would like to see this first phase of the CoSM project, plan your trip to New York before December 1, 2008.
CoSM needs your help during this transitional period especially with moving and renovations. Become a member of CoSM today and please make a generous donation to the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors now
It is so awesome that the future COSM will be located near a railroad station!!! Great to know that those of us who are militantly car-free will still be able to visit.
Love and light,
-Flake
Posted by: Flakey | May 28, 2008 at 11:21 PM