The city of Henderson has deeded Audubon Kids Zone a piece of land on which the organization hopes to construct a new building to serve its growing membership and programs.
The Henderson City Commission approved the deed transfer of 1401 Powell St. at Tuesday’s regularly scheduled meeting.
Kacee Campbell, AKZ’s executive director, said the organization wants to obtain two more adjacent parcels so that the building can be constructed while also allowing for green space and parking.
AKZ presented its plan with a rendering at a city commission meeting in late February, and commissioners then agreed in principle to give the parcel to AKZ once the city gained possession of it.
The Dance Hall once sat on the parcel, and according to a past article in the Hendersonian, its owner, Melodie Shrader, was on the verge of giving the building and property to AKZ in September 2024 when it was learned that the roof in the back of the building had collapsed.
Days later, the building was condemned and demolished.
Campbell said that AKZ in its earlier presentation to the city commission reported that the project planned for the parcel would occur in phases. She said now the organization hopes to complete the project all at once.
A feasibility study by Convergent Nonprofit Solutions, a company based in Atlanta, Ga., will begin June, Campbell said. She hopes the study can be completed by the end of the year and AKZ can then understand the best path forward for the land.
After that, AKZ intends to start a comprehensive campaign project with the goal of raising money for the building, operating expenses and an endowment, Campell said.
At the February city commission meeting, Campbell said the organization’s current building at 1325 Powell St. has a capacity of 45 and is serving about 20% of the children in the area that could utilize its services.
