Aiken arts center name to be changed

AIKEN -- The Washington Center for the Performing Arts will soon have a new name.

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The Aiken City Council approved 6-1, with Councilwoman Lessie Price abstaining, changing the name of the city's performing arts center to display the name of its new sponsor. The center will be renamed the URS Center for the Performing Arts.

The city completed the center in 2002, and it was named after the Washington Co., which made a large donation for construction of the building.

The company sold its interest to URS, which will rename the center by next month. Any costs incurred by the name change will be covered by URS.

The council also approved using the remaining $800,000 of the tax increment financing loan for city improvements.

In 1995, city council approved the TIF district, eight blocks in downtown, which allowed improvements to streetscapes, lighting and other improvements, said City Manager Roger LeDuc. About $240,000 of the remaining funds will be transferred back to an open-space account, which will be used to purchase the park at the northeast corner of York Street and Richland Avenue. An additional $300,000 could go toward a variety of projects, LeDuc said. He suggested that the projects begin by the end of June. The remaining funds would be used to pay for land expansion for an addition to the municipal building at the corner of The Alley and Newberry Street.

The council approved goals for fiscal year 2011 that were discussed during the recent Horizon Retreat. In the short term, council plans to select capital improvement projects. The council also plans to update its strategic plan for the city by enhancing the historic, family, business and green initiatives.

In the long term, council members agreed to make improvements to Sand River storm drainage and Hitchcock Woods. The city also plans periodic trips to the Savannah River Site to receive updates on plans.

As part of the goals, the council will meet Monday with six agencies that would like to be considered in the next round of capital sales tax improvements. The proposal meeting will be held at 5 p.m. in the council chambers of City Hall, 214 Park Ave. S.W.