Renovation Of The Courthouse Begins
On March 28, 2011, T. C. Strickland Construction Company entered into a contract with Destination Cleveland County for renovation of the Courthouse. It is now three years since the County Commissioners signed the Lease Agreement with DCC requiring that they begin renovation within 12 months.
According to City of Shelby records- Earl Scruggs Center file #9929, on March 31, 2011, T. C. Strickland Construction Company called for the first inspection of the Historic Courthouse in preparation for renovation of the building.
On Thursday, May 5, 2011, DCC hosted a celebration called “Music, Memories, and More” at the Historic Courthouse at 5 p.m. The event marked the start of renovations for the Earl Scruggs Center. The center is scheduled to open in 2012.
Destination Cleveland County Board of Directors July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012
Brownie Plaster, Chairwoman
Adelaide Craver, Vice Chair
John Schweppe, III, Secretary
Robin Smith, Treasurer
Stan Lowery, Don Gibson Theatre Executive Director
Myra Dixon
Shannon Kennedy
Millie Wood
Sherry Grenier
Stan Anthony (Shelby City Council member, elected Mayor Oct. 2011)
Linda Horn
Michael Poage
J.T. Scruggs
Jeff Ross
Trip Boinest
Stephanie Burrell
Tropzie McCluney
Dr. Policastro
When Will The Earl Scruggs Center Open?
An article in The Star on January 29, 2012 reported that DCC officials are in the midst of renovations, including installang an elevator and restoring the courtroom ceiling. DCC Board member J.T. Scruggs said, “We’re hoping to open in 2012, but I can’t guarantee that.”
The museum is now being called the Earl Scruggs Center: Music & Stories From the American South.
Earl Scruggs Dies
On March 28, 2012, Earl Eugene Scruggs died in Nashville Baptist Hospital. Nearly 2,300 people including musicians, family, friends, and fans gathered at his public funeral held Sunday, April 1, 2012, at the Ryman Auditorium.
Private burial was at Spring Hill Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee. He was 88. Memorials are to be made to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee or The Earl Scruggs Center c/o Destination Cleveland County in Shelby, N.C.
In an article in The Star, on March 29, 2012, J.T. Scruggs, Earl Scruggs’ nephew, said one of his greatest regrets was that the Earl Scruggs Center, which is scheduled to open in the upcoming months, was not finished in time for its namesake to see.
“He was really thrilled about that,” J. T. Scruggs said of the music and historical museum which will house music and stories from the Carolina foothills.
Renovation Of The Courthouse Is Complete
On April 12, 2012 the City of Shelby Building Inspector’s office- Earl Scruggs Center file #9929- T. C. Strickland Construction Company calls for final inspection of the Historic Courthouse as the renovation of the building for the Earl Scruggs Center is complete.
Renovation Expenses
On May 16, 2012 Cleveland County government paid the last payment to T. C. Strickland Construction Company for renovation of the Historic Courthouse.
Total amount Cleveland County government paid to T. C. Strickland Construction from May 11, 2011 to May 16, 2012: $1,989.866.00.
Cleveland County committed $1.5 Million for interior renovation of the Historic Courthouse. They gave the money to DCC in six (6) payments:
July 9, 2008 Check # 159310 $250,000 First of Six annual payments from county to DCC for interior renovation of courthouse.
June 26, 2009 Check # 173793 $250,000 Second of Six annual payments from county to DCC for interior renovation of Courthouse.
June 2, 2010 Check # 188067 $250,000 Third of Six annual payments of county to DCC for interior renovation of Courthouse.
October 20, 2010 Check # 193680 $250,000 Fourth of Six annual payments of county to DCC for interior renovation of Courthouse.
August 17, 2011 Check # 205363 $250,000 Fifth of Six annual payments of county to DCC for interior renovation of Courthouse.
August 22, 2012 Check #218707 $250,000 Sixth of Six annual payments of county to DCC for interior renovation of courthouse
(Please note that DCC received six annual payments in 4 years and one month, not in 6 fiscal years, but 5.)
The Cleveland County government paid the $1,500,000.00 to DCC, plus Cleveland County government paid $1,989.866.00 to T. C. Strickland Construction Company for interior renovation.
The Cleveland County government also paid $14,550.00 on September 9, 2010 for asbestos removal.
Total Cleveland County government paid to renovate Historic Courthouse: $3,504,416.00
Cleveland County government received back from DCC: $250,000.00 Golden LEAF Grant
Cleveland County government received back from DCC for the EDA Grant:
August 13, 2011 DCC pays county R# 98033 Ref. 1 EDA grant $267,800.00
January 18, 2012 DCC pays county R#9942 Ref. 2 EDA grant $436,138.00
April 5, 2012 DCC pays county R#101066 Ref. 3 EDA grant $310,841.00
Total Cleveland County government received back from DCC to date from EDA grant: $1,014,779.00.
Total Cleveland County government received back from DCC: $1,264,779.00.
Total awarded of EDA grant: $1,543,000.00.
Balance of $528,221.00 is to be paid to DCC by EDA when the Earl Scruggs Center is open. This money should come back to Cleveland County against the T. C. Strickland Construction Company bills.
Destination Cleveland County owes Cleveland County government $739,637.00 against these renovations.