Town
Council Work Session
120 Wilkinson Avenue
Subject: Town Center Civic and Cultural Arts District Study Work Session
Present:
Mayor Ernie McAlister, Mayor Pro Tem Jack Smith, Council Members Marla Dorrel,
Michael Joyce, and Jennifer Robinson
Absent:
Council Members Julie Robison and Nels Roseland
Work
Session called to order at
The
purpose of the work session is to review with consultants the concepts for the
Town Center Civic and Cultural Arts District Study Area. (A copy of the study is
attached to and incorporated herein as Exhibit A.)
The
consultant team consists of Duncan Webb from Webb Management Associates, Inc,
Robert Long from Theatre Consultants Collaborative, and Jean Gath from Pfeiffer
Partners
Ms.
Gath presented the initial recommendations, stating that final recommendations
will be provided to council in January. Mr. Webb addressed the need for new or
improved facilities in
Ms.
Dorrel asked about separating children’s programs and facilities from adults
and seniors at Jordan Hall. Mr. Webb responded that the current schedule for
Jordan Hall works well and helps to determine if programs should be broken up
into groups.
Mr.
Webb said that there are several uses and users of arts in the area and that the
arts as an industry spends money that goes into the local economy. Arts
audiences tend to spend a lot of money, they spend on average $23 more than the
cost of the tickets.
The
consultants developed very preliminary floor plan for implementing facilities
and the costs are based on a conceptual design.
Mr.
Joyce complimented the consultants on their work and stated that he would make
suggestions for renovations to Cary Elementary once the project reached that
point.
Mr.
Joyce left the meeting the at this point at
Ms.
Gath presented a model of downtown
Ms.
Gath stated that the Town owns spaces downtown that are potential development
sites. She said that in creating the downtown districts planned intersections
improvements need to be taken into consideration, as well as the commuter rail,
both of which will change traffic through the area. Additionally, creating a
park in the downtown area provides and opportunity for development—part of the
downtown are is zoned high density mixed use development.
Ms.
Gath said that parking is key to getting people to visit an arts district. She
stated that the distance from Cary Elementary to Chapel Hill Road is about 2600
feet—from Chapel Hill Chatham is about 1000 feet and from Chatham to Cary
elementary is about 1600 feet—and most people will only walk approximately 600
feet to a given location; parking is going to be a critical factor and should be
located in closing proximity to the facility. She said that the streetscape
should also identify entry into the downtown district.
Ms.
Gath said that a digital media center could initially be housed in the building
behind the library. If it becomes a successful venture then it can be moved to a
larger facility.
Council
members collectively agreed that the arts center should be located at the
Mayor
Pro Tem Smith stated that his priority for an arts center is to reinvest in
existing structures. Mrs. Robinson expressed concern about having arts programs
using fire, such as ceramics, located in Cary Elementary. Additionally, the park
should not be flanked on both side with a parking deck; she would like the area
to remain open.
Mayor McAlister asked about the
possibility of partnering with outside developers in the cost of the facilities
to create a public-private partnership by having the Town donate the land. Ms.
Gath said developers could be encouraged with the mixed use zoning to enter into
such a relationship. She said that in similar communities the Town provided the
land and the parking structure.
Ms.
Dorrel expressed concern about downtown retailers businesses. Ms. Gath said that
recently a restaurant owner in the downtown area noticed a significant increase
in his business when there is an applause event at Cary Elementary. She said
that even though the restaurants are not immediately adjacent to Cary Elementary
their businesses will notice an increase.
Mrs.
Robinson asked about phasing. Ms. Gath responded that phasing relates to dollars
and it would be beneficial to create the digital media center, especially with
the existing building behind the library. It would also demonstrate that the
Town is making a commitment to the arts. Additionally, using Cary Elementary
would provide educational and creative space for families.
Ms.
Dorrel asked about provisions for the senior population. Mr. Webb said
activities would occur over time. Ms. Gath added that senior housing downtown
would be helpful.
Mayor
McAlister instructed staff to pay particular attention to any comments received
from the churches.
Council
members agreed on the importance of the Town showing it’s commitment to the
arts and directed staff to move forward with using Cary Elementary, creating the
digital media center, and then working to create private-public partnerships for
the other facilities.
Work
session adjourned at