Britt Music & Arts Festival has acquired the historic U.S. Hotel building in downtown Jacksonville from Jackson County, officials said Tuesday.

The $1.452 million purchase price was finalized Aug. 15, said Mollie Smith, Britt’s marketing manager.

Britt’s plans for the 1880s-era building include a space for events, including intimate concerts, art exhibitions, community gatherings and educational workshops, and it will also house Britt’s administrative offices, box office and a small retail shop, according to a news release issued midafternoon Tuesday.

Britt purchased the U.S. Hotel with monies from its reserve fund, accumulated from “small surpluses over many years,” the release said.

“By blending history with modern cultural offerings, Britt aims to create a vibrant hub that resonates with both locals and visitors alike, honoring the history of the building while preserving it for generations to come,” the release said. “The construction project will include input from local historians, preservation experts, architects, and contractors to balance the character and charm of this treasured landmark while upgrading it to meet contemporary needs.

“The project will likely take a few years and will include a major capital campaign to fund the significant structural and seismic work needed to reinforce the building.”

Apart from the purchase cost, renovations and repairs could run another $1.5 million for wiring, plumbing and access for people with limited mobility, Smith confirmed Tuesday. The building currently is rented to an antiques business.

The 62-year-old Britt Music & Arts Festival currently has offices in Medford at 216 W. Main St. and hosts performances at an outdoor amphitheater at the county-owned Upper Britt Gardens in Jacksonville.

Jackson County commissioners on May 15 delayed a vote to sell the building for $1.1 million to a second party, SOMAR LLC, affiliated with Somar Family Vineyards, after Britt made a competing offer of $1.15 million. Abby McKee, president and CEO of Britt Music & Arts Festival, previously told the Rogue Valley Times the county asked for best, final offers and that theirs was accepted, for $1.452 million.

It’s not clear how the county came to own the hotel. The Southern Oregon Historical Society previously leased the location from the county.

Danny Jordan, county administrator, was the author of a May 30 letter to Britt accepting Britt’s offer, contingent on the approval of the Board of Commissioners. The letter stated that the county would have no obligation to pay any commissions to Britt’s real estate representative.

Britt Board Chair Sarah Lynch said in the release Tuesday, “For over 30 years, Britt has sought to relocate its administrative offices to Jacksonville. As an organization steeped in our community’s history, and as a primary economic driver, we have long recognized the opportunity and responsibility we have to Jacksonville to be here year-round.

“We are delighted to have the keys, and we can’t wait to bring this long-held dream to life.”

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Bowen was quoted in the release, stating, “The U.S. Hotel is a vital part of our town’s heritage, and Britt’s acquisition ensures that it will continue to be a cherished landmark for future generations. This initiative will not only preserve a piece of our history but will also enhance Jacksonville’s status as a cultural destination.”