Work Session of the Town of Cary, North Carolina

March 7, 2006

Subject: Town Center Civic and Cultural Art District Study Final Report and Recommendations

Location: Council Chambers, 316 N. Academy St., Cary, NC

Present: Mayor Ernie McAlister, Marla Dorrel, Mike Joyce, Jennifer Robinson and Julie Robison

Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Jack Smith and Council Member Nels Roseland

Mayor McAlister started the meeting at 4:38 p.m.

The plan is attached to and incorporated in these minutes as Exhibit A. The consultant’s power point presentation is attached to and incorporated in these minutes as Exhibit B.

Mrs. Henderson, director of parks, recreation and cultural resources, stated the town center civic and cultural art district study fits into both the economic development study and the streetscape study, both of which are ongoing.

Mayor McAlister asked Mrs. Henderson to elaborate on the direction that staff needs from the council at this work session. Mrs. Henderson stated the next step in the process is to go from planning to implementation. She stated the staff is currently in the midst of the streetscape plan, and those recommendations will need to be implemented in this plan. She stated council should endorse this plan and charge staff with coming back with an implementation plan to coordinate with the streetscape plan and other improvements in the downtown area and then move forward with an implementation plan.

Mr. Joyce stated the concept seems to be whether to create an arts district. Mayor McAlister stated the entire study is focused on creating a downtown arts district; however, there’s been tacit agreement throughout the process that this is an effort council wants to pursue.

Mr. Joyce stated he doesn’t have a problem with the concept plan; however, he does not want to come back and later hear that implementation is part of the master plan so council must move forward with particular implementation steps (similar to what he’s heard with the parks master plan). Mrs. Henderson stated the plan is a roadmap, and staff’s role is to bring concepts to council and for council to decide what to pursue.

Ms. Dorrel stated if council adopts this study, then the council is adopting implementation of the plan, and staff would bring it piece by piece to council. She wants to be clear on this. Mr. Joyce stated the streetscape plan and other plans need to be integrated into this document before determining implementation.

Mayor McAlister stated he sees a distinct difference in adoption of the plan and the implementation schedule. He stated council is being asked to endorse the plan; in the future the council may take action to implement the various elements of the plan. He stated the council is not taking any action tonight that indicates they will support all action points in the plan.

Mrs. Robison stated the document doesn’t include an implementation timeline. The consultant replied that much of the schedule depends of funding. Mrs. Robison stated if the concept is adopted in the proposed order of the six phases, then council could expect the phases to be brought back to council once implementation related issues are flushed out, and it would include different financial operational aspects and would be part of the budget process. Mrs. Henderson confirmed and stated this is how the parks, recreation and cultural resources master plan is enacted. She stated the council would prioritize each phase. Mrs. Robison asked if staff has a draft timetable. Mrs. Henderson responded negatively.

Mrs. Robison stated development estimates in the Chesapeake study have not yet been realized. She asked if the cultural arts district is dependent on commercial development in downtown. She asked the critical piece in the proposal to make or break commercial development. The consultant stated nothing has happened because nothing has happened, and they believe cultural development is a catalytic event. They believe that taking the step to address parking would be a huge signal for potential development in downtown.

Mrs. Robison asked how many phases would have the biggest impact. The consultant stated the first two phases would make the biggest difference. They gave the West End district in Dallas, TX as a good example.

There was some discussion about the more immediate use of Cary Elementary as a cultural facility vs. the more long-term plan for a separate building. The consultant clarified that it would take years to raise the money to build a new visual and performing arts facility, and Cary Elementary can meet an immediate need for this service while raising funds for another facility. The consultant stated this scenario may lose a little synergy, but they feel it’s important to get the first phase open and active, which will play a large role in making later phases happen. The goal is for both buildings to be in very close proximity.

Mrs. Robinson asked if two buildings would promote commercial development more than just one building. The consultant stated walking helps generate commercial activity.

Mrs. Robinson wants to keep kilns and highly flammable materials out of the old Cary Elementary building and keep them at Jordan Hall.

Ms. Dorrel stated she just received her notebook today. She stated several powerpoint slides in the notebook didn’t copy. She wants these produced so they’re legible. Staff will accommodate this request.

Ms. Dorrel asked if the arts incubator was discussed at the November meeting. The consultant replied affirmatively, but noted it wasn’t discussed in a lot of detail. Ms. Dorrel thinks it’s a good idea.

Ms. Dorrel is pleased that the report allows us to refocus on history at the Page Walker Arts and History Center.

Ms. Dorrel is glad to see the Waldo Rood relocation slide. She believes this house is worth saving and showcasing. She stated there is some pressure to move the house, and she reminded staff to focus on this. She doesn’t think we can afford to lose the house from an historical standpoint.

Ms. Dorrel is glad to see comments included from historic preservation groups about the impact of a large facility. She asked if the conceptual plan calls for moving any buildings in the historic district. Staff stated no contributing structures are impacted.

Ms. Dorrel stated art should be integral in the streetscape plan. The consultant stated Portland is a good example of integrated art, including manhole covers, pavement, street lights, etc. -- not just art statues.

Ms. Dorrel needs to digest the town square and traffic pattern. The consultant stated this creates a front yard for the performing arts center and allows drop-offs and moves the large building off of Academy Street. Ms. Dorrel stated she needs to understand this more to determine if it detracts from businesses being an integral part of the downtown area (toward Chatham Street).

Ms. Dorrel asked about studio space. The consultant stated this can be accommodated in an incubator. They intentionally shied away from this outside of the incubator setting, because they don’t want a lot of space used by one person at a time, since this would not be an efficient use of Town resources. The consultant stated studio space at Jordan Hall can be created, and added that the challenge is to decide who’s in the space and for how long and whether they pay. Ms. Dorrel asked if the arts community is aware of this strategy. The consultant stated that there’s been a lot of discussion about open studio space instead of individual studio space. This would be shared space but not specifically designated.

Mrs. Robison left the meeting at 6:10 p.m.

Ms. Dorrel stated the idea of a community box office at Cary Elementary sounds like a good service and a way to support non-profits.

Ms. Dorrel stated her overall response is this is a new model for Cary and is an interdependent, collaborative relationship with the private sector and the Town. She believes it’s important to figure out how to identify leadership and make it work. The consultant stated several communities have embarked on these partnerships and they’ll share names of these communities with Mrs. Henderson. They stated it’s new for Cary but not other communities. The consultant stated the chamber’s intercity visit will highlight these partnerships and include both visual and performing arts.

Mayor McAlister stated the council needs to fully digest and understand the information presented. He suggested that it’s not appropriate to take action with only four council members present. He thinks it’s fair to say that the council in general endorses the plan but needs more information prior to the implementation phase (i.e., hard infrastructure as well as a general idea of a civic and cultural arts district downtown). He stated staff should bring all these parts to council and give council the information they need in order to make implementation decisions.

Mayor McAlister thinks it is an exciting plan. He noted it will take a long time to implement, and a phasing process will provide council a chance to make a significant impact on the front-end and grow the plan over the years after it’s gained public support. He believes when this comes back to council with a clear implementation plan, it will find resounding support on council based on tonight’s presentation.

Mayor McAlister thanked the consultants and citizens who participated in the process. He looks forward to moving from the study to the implementation phase.

Mayor McAlister adjourned the meeting at 6:16 p.m.