The big red ribbon outside the Broad Street Studios was snipped into pieces to dedicate its opening Thursday afternoon.

University personnel, students and Athens community members were on hand to celebrate the two new studios, which house the Lamar Dodd School of Art’s interior design program and the Cortona, Italy, study abroad program.

“I’m proud to have played just a small role in helping this take place,” University President Michael Adams announced to the onlookers at the ribbon cutting.

Adams said the creation of the new buildings greatly improved the property, located on West Broad Street between Hull and Pulaski streets.

“This is the gateway into our community,” said Athens-Clarke County Mayor Doc Eldridge, adding that most traffic from Atlanta enters Athens near the new buildings.

The studios continue the growth of the University. The most under-developed areas of downtown are also the farthest away from the University, Adams said.

“I don’t look at what the University is taking away … it’s adding,” Eldridge said. “(Athens is) proud to be the host city to the University.”

He said he was “tickled to death” that the partnership with the University and community improved the area.

Adams said the newly completed buildings benefited both students and the art galleries.

He also praised the short time period in which the buildings were renovated, saying the idea, from conception to completion, took about 18 months.

The buildings were purchased by the University Real Estate Foundation for renovation.

Jack Rooker, a foundation member, said the renovations included student and faculty input.

Students and professors were able to design the studios so there was proper space and light, Adams said.

“(It) gave students the opportunity to work along with private industries and see how it worked,” Rooker said.

Erica Harvey, an art student, also spoke at the dedication.

She expressed appreciation to members of the Franklin College of Arts & Sciences and the Lamar Dodd School of Art.

Harvey also discussed the strength of the University’s interior design program.

“We have long traditions … that make (interior design graduates) more respected,” she said.

The location of the buildings will allow movement between different studios as students work, Harvey said.

Speaking on behalf of art students, she said, “We take pride in coming to this building every day.”