Sugar Land staffers will continue studying the feasibility of the city taking ownership of the oldest building in town after City Council members last week were told maintenance costs for the building would total $82,200 per year.

The Sugar Land Auditorium—built in 1918 and designated by the state as an historical marker—is owned by Fort Bend ISD, and is operated by the Sugar Land Cultural Arts Foundation. The foundation last year floated the idea of the auditorium being conveyed from FBISD to the city.

Tim Stubenrouch, president of the SLCAF board of directors said school district officials have not indicated they are unhappy with the arrangement, and have not told SLCAF they want to let go of the building. FBISD did not respond to requests for comment.

The 400-seat auditorium on Lakeview Drive east of Wood Street is used by FBISD and local arts organizations to hold art shows, music recitals and other performances.

At last week’s council meeting Sugar Land’s cultural arts manager Lindsay Davis detailed the prospects of the city’s taking ownership of the facility, describing the renovations needed in the 99-year-old building. The city identified $45,000 worth of renovations the building needs, with most of that amount earmarked for refurbishing its windows. In addition, the auditorium has no public restrooms. Installing them would cost $587,000, Davis said, adding that SLCAF has already raised $200,000 for that particular project.

After discussing the idea and peppering Davis and Stubenrouch with questions about the building, most council members voiced their support for the proposal. Only Council Member Amy Mitchell spoke against it.

Mitchell said the city’s projections for reduced sales tax revenue along with legislation being considered in Austin that seeks to limit property tax increases by local governments make it the wrong time to take on the auditorium’s expenses.

“I would rather wait until the restrooms are already [been] added,” Mitchell said. “I’m concerned about the finances and the tax revenue situation.”

Mitchell also pointed out as negative factors the auditorium’s lack of parking and the surrounding residential neighborhood being affected by auditorium attendees who might get loud after drinking during a show.

Stubenrouch and Davis told council members that auditorium patrons park at Lakeview Elementary School located next door, and also at the Friendship Community Bible Church, located nearby.

After Mitchell’s questions and comments, Mayor Joe Zimmerman quipped, “I was excited about this but now I’m depressed.”

City Manager Allen Bogard then asked for direction on whether city staffers should continue looking into taking on the auditorium. All council members except for Mitchell favored continuing to study the possibility.

No timetable was given for when the city council could take an official vote on the matter.