Bring 147 Cora to Life!

Bring 147 Cora to Life!

One Building. Many Possibilities. A Lasting Community Investment.

We've secured the property. Now it's time to bring it to life!

In January 2023, Ridgway Chautauqua / Sherbino and Weehawken Creative Arts joined forces to purchase 145 and 147 North Cora Street, securing an important piece of downtown Ridgway for the long-term benefit of our community.

Thanks to extraordinary community generosity, we're now just $6,000 away from paying off the acquisition loan entirely!

But there's one important piece of this property that has yet to reach its full potential: 147 North Cora.

A Building with Untapped Potential

Although 145 and 147 Cora appear to be one historic building from the street, they're actually two separate structures with distinct foundations beneath a shared roof and façade.

When we acquired the property, we knew improvements would eventually be necessary. But it wasn't until late 2025 and early 2026 that we gained a clearer understanding of 147's condition—and the extent of the work needed to make it a functional community space.

The building needs substantial upgrades, including electrical improvements, heating, insulation, drywall, flooring, plumbing, lighting, and other essential renovations.

Our goal isn't to create something extravagant. It's to transform an underutilized building into a safe, welcoming, flexible space that can serve our community for decades.

One Space, Many Uses

We envision 147 Cora as a place that changes with the needs of our community throughout the day:

• During business hours: A gallery showcasing regional artists, welcoming residents and visitors to explore and purchase original artwork.

• After school: A creative learning space for Weehawken Creative Arts classes, workshops, and youth programming.

• Evenings and after work: A flexible gathering place for Sherbino programs, community meetings, workshops, and collaborative events.

Rather than dedicating the building to one narrow purpose, we want to maximize its usefulness—providing a shared resource for artists, students, nonprofits, and neighbors.

Our Goal: $60,000 by June 30, 2027

We anticipate the full renovation will require approximately $125,000–$135,000.

We've submitted grant applications that we hope will provide approximately $75,000 toward the project. If awarded, we'll still need to raise another $50,000–$60,000 in private contributions to complete the work.

Our fundraising goal is $60,000 by June 30, 2027, with the goal of opening 147 Cora for community use during 2027.

These grants are not yet guaranteed, so additional private fundraising may be necessary if awards fall short.

Every contribution will help move us closer to making this space safe, functional, and ready to welcome the community.

Part of a Bigger Vision

147 Cora is an important piece of our Key to the Future initiative—a vision for a walkable arts and cultural campus in downtown Ridgway.

Together, the Sherbino Theater, 610 Arts Collective, Courtyard, Cora Street properties, and the Town's Decker Room offer an extraordinary collection of complementary spaces for performances, exhibitions, classes, community gatherings, and lifelong learning.

The land behind the Cora buildings adds even more potential for future outdoor connections and shared community uses.

Our goal is to make these spaces work together, creating a vibrant downtown environment where creativity, education, and community life can thrive.

By supporting 147 Cora, you're not simply helping renovate a building. You're helping create a lasting community resource that will serve Ridgway for generations.

Help Us Open the Doors in 2027!

Whether you're able to contribute $50, $250, $1,000, $5,000, or more, your gift will help transform 147 Cora from an underutilized property into an active, welcoming place for our community.

We've already taken the extraordinary step of securing this property for the future.

Now, together, let's put it to work.

Thank you for believing in the future of arts, culture, and community in Ridgway!