P&Z, city council approve museum event venue

The Waxahachie City Council voted its approval of a specific use permit for a private club use for the Ellis County Museum’s new event venue during its Monday, April 17, meeting.

The museum, which is located at 201 S. College St. in downtown Waxahachie, had previously received approval from the Waxahachie Planning and Zoning Commission during its April 11 meeting.

The venue will be named 1889 on the Square, according to the city staff report.

Over the past several years, the museum, which was built in 1889 as the Masonic Temple, has been undergoing renovations. During the renovations, an elevator was installed, and the third and second floors were restored. The 4,253-square foot third floor includes an assembly hall and a lecture hall, both of which will be available for event reservations, executive director Michelle Haye previously told the Sun.

The assembly hall will be a space for larger events like family reunions, banquets, weddings, proms and more. It includes a kitchen area in the back for catered events. The original stage, used by the Masonic Temple, is being restored, and the original lights as well as canned lighting will be placed throughout the room.

The lecture hall, located on the front side of the building, will be a space for classes, workshops, special guests, bridal showers and more.

The venue is anticipated to have two to five employees and to operate from 9 a.m.-12 a.m. in four to eight-hour increments.

Access to the venue will be found through a gate at the alley behind the museum, which leads to a door located by the stairs and elevator.

City staff noted that they received 24 letters of support from businesses in the downtown area.

Asked by the commission how much work was left to be done on the event venue, Amber Adams of the Ellis County Museum board said they only needed to paint the baseboards.

While they have not gotten their official certificate of occupancy, Adams said they anticipate the venue to hold about 100-150 people.

During the 53rd Gingerbread Trail Tour of Homes on June 3-4, the museum will hold a grand opening and will be one of the stops on the tour. Along with a tour of the newly renovated second and third floors, attendees will be able to look at an exhibit focused on the history of the Gingerbread Trail Tour of Homes, Haye previously told the Sun.

(Editor's note: Updated to reflect city council approval of the project).

Originally published April 13, 2023 - https://www.waxahachiesun.com/news/local/updated-p-z-city-council-approve-museum-event-venue/article_a62ce88a-da40-11ed-8c22-5ff5e201ae74.html