The Cherokee County government has closed on the purchase of a vacant home in downtown Woodstock that's part of the site of a future arts village.

County Manager Jerry Cooper said the county last week closed with Ameris Bank to purchase the Reeves home, which sits on Elm Street.

The home is part of the proposed Elm Street Cultural Arts Village, which is a collaborative effort by arts enthusiasts to bring a cultural arts center to downtown Woodstock. The effort has gained support and funding from the city and county governments.

Cooper said the county will close with First Cherokee State Bank on the remaining parcels today, which would complete the purchase of all the land needed for the project.

In an agreement with the city government, the county Board of Commissioners voted to buy the four acres on Elm Street for the project.

The $436,000 cost will be reimbursed by the Woodstock city government. In return, the board will waive the $600,000 cost to the city to find a new home for planned ball fields on county land the city is using for the Arnold Mill Road Bypass.

The Elm Street project would transform the vacant historic Reeves House, which is about 2,500 to 3,000 square feet, into a visual arts center.

Also on the property would be an outdoor gathering area and the Market Street Theatre, a "black box" theater where acting classes and small-audience performances could be conducted.

The two-story house was built between 1897 and 1906 by Luther Reeves. It was to be a part of the Hedgewood development company's plan to create a grid network on the west side of downtown.

Those plans were abandoned as Hedgewood, which also developed Woodstock Downtown, went into foreclosure. The house has been vacant for about three years, and it and the surrounding parcels fell into the ownership of Ameris and First Cherokee State banks.

County Board of Commissioners Chairman Buzz Ahrens said the project will provide another cultural outlet for residents, attract people to area businesses and bring in more economic development.

The Elm Street Cultural Arts Village, he said, would be a benefit to the entire county, no matter where it's located.

"When I look at things like this, I don't draw lines between cities and county," he said.

The closing on the property means proponents can move forward with its fundraising efforts, said Gay Grooms, artistic director of the Towne Lake Arts Center, sponsor of the Elm Street Cultural Arts Village proposal.

Mrs. Grooms said a Ghost Tales and Trails storytelling event fundraiser will be held by supporters of the project on Oct. 14 through 16 in downtown Woodstock. Atlanta actor Paul Boehlert will be the story teller and the arts center's Teen Actors Guild will serve as tour guides.

Tickets will be $11 for adults and $6 for children 12 and younger, said artist Ann Litrel, one of the proponents of the project. All tickets will be available the day of the event.

She added there will be an opportunity to purchase a combination package for $16, which would give access to the tour and the opportunity to choose tickets for one of two shows at the Towne Lake Arts Center.

An executive board for he village initiative has been installed, with Roomscapes Gallery and Art Studio Co-owner Shawn McLeod serving as president; lawyer Ron Debranski, who has appeared in stage productions at the arts center, serving as vice president; resident Don Wright serving as treasurer; and Mrs. Litrel serving as secretary.

Mrs. Litrel, Mrs. McLeod and Mrs. Grooms all have been sharing the load of the executive director title, Mrs. Litrel added.

A "large" capital campaign will launch in the fall, Mrs. Litrel said, adding that they are looking for an experienced fundraising chairperson and are recruiting local business leaders to get involved.

Mrs. McLeod said she's scheduling a future clean-up day for the Reeves home as well. She added she's in talks with a Boy Scout troop out of east Cherokee County who would help with clearing the thick kudzu from the property.

Mrs. Grooms said the project continues to gain positive feedback.

"Clearly people have definitely started to catch on," she said.

Mrs. Litrel added that the support of city and county leaders has been beneficial in getting residents on board.

This type of project, she said, is "long overdue" in Cherokee.

Cherokee is sandwiched between Cobb and northern Fulton Counties, both of which, she said, have flourishing arts communities, and it's time for Cherokee to develop its own.

"We are positioned to take the next step," she said.

For information about the project or the upcoming events, call (678) 494-4251.