[From the Ontario District's newsletter, The Trillium, issue 60-04, October - December, 2006 , Waldo Redekop, editor.]
News release

Society purchases building
for new headquarters

The Society’s search for a new home in Nashville ended this week with the purchase of an existing building at a prime downtown Nashville address.

The Society will breathe new life into the 36,000-square-foot building, located at 110 7th Avenue North, as extensive renovations begin in the next few months. Just off Broadway in the center of Nashville-with easy access off Interstate 65-the Society headquarters will enjoy a prime location, good neighbors and great potential for return on investment.

Prime location

Centering the Society in Music City will help increase awareness of the organization and the barbershop harmony art form.

Located in the immediate area of the new Society headquarters are the Nashville Convention Center, the Gaylord Entertainment Center, an arts magnet high school, a Masonic temple and a planned residential building. Only minutes away are the brand new Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Ryman Auditorium and Tennessee State, Belmont and Vanderbilt universities. Nashville, itself, is a prime tourism location.

Nashville awaits with open arms

The news of the Society’s purchase brought positive reaction from Tom Turner, executive director of the Nashville Downtown Partnership. “It’s a good thing for downtown. When you take an existing structure and reactivate it, you’re going to see a lot of good things happen.” Turner ought to know, he’s been a driving force behind the redevelopment of downtown Portland, downtown St. Louis, and now, Nashville.

He also pointed out that the Society will add to the diverse musical mix that already exists in downtown. “When you have a new component, like the Barbershop Harmony Society that has a rich tradition and education programming, it only enriches the fabric of what is here.”

Dr. Robert Fisher, president of Belmont University, also sees a warm welcome for the Society in his city. “There is a resurgence of music in the public schools, and I would think kids would have a great interest in this musical form.”

Purchase and renovation of the building will be funded by money from the 2003 sale of Society’s properties in Kenosha and financing arranged through Sun Trust Bank. Purchase price was $1,450,000.  The anticipated move date is late summer 2007.     k