About the Center
In December 2003, Bahia Street was able to buy an old building at the center of Salvador for a new Bahia Street Center. Rita Conceição, the Bahia Street Director in Brazil, selected a building on the same street as the previous Bahia Street Center. The building, which dates from the early 19th century, needed to be almost completely rebuilt. Bahia Street kept the historic front facade of the building and redesigned the interior to best fit our needs. An architect in Salvador drew up plans that include classrooms, a library, technology room, kitchen and dining area, exercise area, several bathrooms with showers, and reception and administration rooms. The plans also include an arts room, science laboratory and photography room. When completed, the building will be four stories, with the top floor being a covered outdoor veranda area and space for visitors to the Center.
The 2004 demolition and construction project was handled carefully; taking the old structure apart in portions. The buildings in this part of Salvador have no space between them and no back access. Debris from the entire building was removed in sacks out the front door, and all new building materials were delivered through the same door.
For the 2005 school year, with the combined efforts of Bahia Street staff, local construction help and other community members, we were able to open the new Bahia Street center for classes using the first two floors, which include classrooms, library, administration area, bathrooms, and kitchen.
The Sponsors
The purchase, rebuilding, and refurbishment has been made possible through the generous contribution of many individual donors and several foundations. The Maggie Black Trust made the furnishing of the photography laboratory possible, the Jephcott Foundation funded almost the entire rebuilding project, and the Seattle Ballard and University Sunrise Rotaries helped furnish the science laboratory and install ventilation. The original purchase was made possible by a generous interest-free loan from two long-time supporters of Bahia Street, Margaret Schulte and Barry Stellrecht. Through the very generous donation of the Dawson family, Bahia Street repaid the entire loan on the building, so it is now owned free and clear by Bahia Street .
