HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-03-16 ad Hoc Arts Center Task Force MinutesMEET S NG NOTES
Town of Reading Arts Center Task Force
Date: March 16, 1994' page 1 of 2
Place: Reading Municipal Light Department Conference Room
Present: Marc Guyott Task Force Member
Bill Crowley Task Force Member
Richard Radville Task Force Member
Carol Grimm Task Force Member
Bill Hughes Task Force Member
Bruce Macdonald Task Force Member
Jim Blomley RMLD
Jack Cairl AFPAR
Michael Linnane Chamber of Commerce
Leslie McGonagle Chamber of Commerce
1. REPORT OF LAST MEETING
Meeting notes for 3/9/94 meeting were accepted as
written.
2. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INPUT
Leslie McGonagle and Mike Linnane of the. Chamber of
Commerce attended. Bruce M. and Jack Cairl explained
the history and purpose of AFPAR and of the task force.
Leslie explained that the Chamber has certain concerns:
- If the building is not sold, what would the impact be
on rates, and wasn't this committment made? Bruce
MacDonald elaborated on the votes taken by Town Meeting
which apparently were simply to approve bonding for the
Ash Street project. Bruce is continuing to research
this issue. Bill Hughes, Jim Blomley and Carol Grimm
all expressed concern about this matter.
- Leslie indicated that an arts center may in fact
attract customers to the area, but this is difficult to
quantify.
- Parking impact would be an issue, perhaps negative on
the local businesses, perhaps offset by a positive
impact.
Leslie felt that it may be better to wait a year to
sell the building, as the economy is rising. Bruce has
spoken to Bob Nordstrand who feels the same way.
3. AVAILABLE PROPERTIES
Members have looked into the actual availability of
four properties - 'K of C' - unavailable per Bruce M,
Cerratani's - unavailable per Bill C. (see separate
memo), VFW and. American Legion - unavailable per Bill
H.
MEET = NG NOTES
Town of Reading Arts Center Task Force
Date: March 16, 1994 page 2 of 2
4. FUNDING
Marc Guyott has spoken to the Executive Office of
Community Development (EOCD) who apparently have monies
available in grant form for the conducting of
feasibility and market studies for the development of
community based arts centers. Marc has ordered
literature from this group which should be available
for the next meeting.
5. PUBLICITY
Bruce MacDonald submitted his letter to the editor for
review of the task force. No objections to this were
voiced, Bruce will submit to the papers.
6. 25 HAVEN STUDY
Rich Radville presented a memo and sketch diagrams of a
possible layout of the AFPAR space program on the 2.5
Haven property. The study showed that the program
could physically fit on-site, but with virtually no
on-site parking remaining.
7. NEXT MEETING
Will be 3/23, 7:30 PM in the Town Hall employee lounge
or the planner's office, has been posted for the
lounge. Agenda items include:
a. Peter Hechenbleikner and Len Rucker will be present
to discuss the logistics of the use of the 25 Haven
property viv-a-vis intended use of sale funds to pay
down RMLD bonds.
b. Marc Guyott will report on info received from the
EOCD.
c. Jonathan Barnes and Jonathan Edwards will present
the results of their search for data on economic
impact of arts centers.
notes prepared by RR
distribution:
all present
all task force members
Town Manager