HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-08-20 CAC MINUTESCity of Englewood
Cultural Arts Commission
Minutes of August 20, 1996
The special meeting of the Englewood Cultural Arts Commission was called to order at 5:50pm by Co-
Chairman Spangenberg at Englewood Ci ty H all, Conference Room A.
Members present:
Members absent:
Also present:
Spangenberg, Miletto, Krueger, Styes, Donelson, Curley
Black, ex officio
LaPorta Krieger
Alex Habenicht
Chris Wiemann, Executive Director, Denver Civic Theater
Loren Shepherd, CPA, Shepherd and Co .
Tamara Hammond
Diane Wray
Louise Aron
Jerry Summers
Sohne VanSelus
Co-Chairman Spangenberg asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes of
. August 7, 1996 meeting. There were none . A motion was made and seconded that the minutes be approved
as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Spangenberg distributed an outline defining the objectives of the Cultural Arts Commission. The
commission was asked to review and make any additions. Discussion would follow at a later meeting.
The mission statement was reviewed and accepted as presented.
Commissioner Curley reported she had received a starter kit from Museum of Loveland, Art in
Public Places. Curley would get a contact name. The information was forwarded on to Spangenberg.
Debby Severa announced $775.00 had bee n received in donations towards the Cultural Arts
Feasibility Study. Spangenberg indicated she had received commitments from other organizations and is
expecting those donations very soon.
Commissioner Donelson informed Commission of the recent meeting with Semple and Brown,
cultural facility architects . Semple and Brown pointed out the areas to concentrate on for fundraising
include 1) need, 2) users, 3) facility and 4) fea sibility, all which will be determined by a market survey .
Semple and Brown suggested that a multi-use facility would be the smartest financial decision .
A number of options were discussed for the possible Cinderella City site including an overlapping
of building utilization using lightrail and theater restrooms, or sharing entrance ways to a city facility and a
theater.
Spangenberg asked if the Library was discussed for the Cinderella City site. Donelson replied it
had been discussed . Alex Habenicht, Englewood City Council member, pointed out the Foley's building
was not considered for a site for a theater. Habenicht explained a theater of at least 1500 seats would be
most feasible for the City of Englewood. Anything less would not be profitable. Semple and Brown
suggested the theater could be profitable. Habenicht noted, though, that the success of profit depended on
the management.
It was asked what size theaters were in the metro area. Commission member Krueger reported
Littleton Town Hall seated 300-400 and that there were not a lot of mid-size theater houses. Arvada
Cultural Center seats approximately 500. Chris Wiemann, Executive Director for the Denver Civic Theater
stated that he has been looking at area theaters in Colorado and that 1100 seats is no longer enough.
Wiemann also suggested the Cultural Arts Commission talk to the managers from area theaters in Colorado.
Miletto asked if a theater that seats 1000 to 1500 was near to Englewood. Wiemann reported there
was not.
Spangenberg reported Rebecca Jones from the Colorado Choir contacted her in support of the
Cultural Arts Center. Spangenberg was told that it was near impossible to find acceptable acoustics around
the area. Krueger added that quality is sacrificed when theater and music are combined in a multi-use
complex.
Spangenberg introduced Loren Shepherd, CPA for Shepherd and Co, an accounting firm in
Englewood. Shepherd emphasized that the Cultural Commission's primary agenda should be to raise the
$25,000. The Commission was encouraged to organize and .raise the money as soon as possible.
Shepherd pointed out that the more sponsors you have, the more it will show that the Commission
has the interest and support, preferably local support. In regard to the comment made earlier that the
Cultural Arts Center could be profitable, Shepherd suggested that the Commission check with area theaters
because he felt none of the local theaters were profitable. Shepherd felt if a Center is built, it would need to
be publicly subsidized. Shepherd added the feasibility study needs to focus on whom the Center is being
built for, the City of Englewood or metro Denver. The South Metro area could use a Cultural Arts Center,
and possibly market further south. Styes remarked it had not been explored.
It was asked who would pay or sponsor the Center, and if it would require a bond issue. Shepherd
reiterated the first step is to raise the $25,000, though, that would not include architectural plans. Next step
is to pay for the Center upfront, although Shepherd reported that he was not aware of any Center able to do
so.
Shepherd asked Wiemann to explain how the Buell Theater was funded. Wiemann explained the
Buell Theater cost approximately $27.3 million, which a significant portion came from corporate
sponsorship. The remainder came from National Tours, City of Denver and local support. It was noted the
Boettcher Foundation furnishes a large portion of local support. Lastly, Wiemann added that there was a
mandate to lose as little as possible per month and year.
In regard to the feasibility study, Wiemann suggested to perceive the need and potential prior to
the study so not to waste funds on unnecessary information or information pre-determined. Wiemann
encouraged the commission to also pre-determine what core groups would have access.
Spangenberg explained there were two areas to concentrate on: 1) fundraising and 2) identifying
users of the Cultural Arts Center. Spangenberg specified the areas to market: 1) corporate sponsors, 2)
immediate community in Englewood, and 3) users of the Cultural Arts Center. The Commission then
discussed on how ways to advertise for the fundraiser and tasks of Commission members.
Habenicht suggested the importance of a deadline for the Cultural Arts Center fundraiser.
Discussion ensued as to a date.
Diane Wray, supporter of historical preservation, expressed concern with the political implication
of combining the Cultural Center with Cinderella City . Spangenberg indicated Cinderella City is not looked
at as the answer to the Cultural Arts Center. Krueger also responded that the feasibility study would
indicate the best location for the Cultural Arts Center. Styes suggested that possibly that was the public's
perception of the Cinderella City site, and maybe there is a need to clarify that to the public.
Spangenberg informed Commission she would be going to council to ask for additional money for
printing, postage, etc .
Habenicht asked if Frank Gryglewicz, Director of Financial Services, could compose a letter
stating donations toward the Cultural Arts Center are tax deductible. The letter would be attached to the
letters asking for donations .
In regard to the deadline for the Cultural Arts Center fundraiser, a motion was made by
Commission member Styes and seconded by Commissioner,Donelson recommending September 30, 1996.
The motion passed unanimously.
Wray expressed her concern that the Englewood City Hall and Englewood Public Library building
were looked at as being disposable, and reiterated that the historical preservation of these and other
buildings in Englewood should be an articulated part of the feasibility study. It was suggested that Wray
organize a historical presentation for the Cultural Arts Commission .
Director Black informed Commission members that any information that needs to be distributed to
commission members needs to be included in the packet . All information needs to be to Debby no later
than seven (7 ) days prior to the next meeting in order to be mailed out with the packet.
Spangenberg thanked the visitors for attending the Cultural Arts Commission and expressed her
appreciation for their comments. Krueger concurred .
The meeting was adjourned at 7:45pm.
Deborah A. Severa, Recording Secretary