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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 04/26/2005 - Workshop APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN FORUM/OPEN PODIUM TUESDAY,APRIL 26, 2005 CITY CENTER 5:00—6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOM II 6:30—7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens, Councilmembers Brad Aho, Sherry Butcher, Ron Case, and Philip Young CITY STAFF: City Manager Scott Neal, Police Chief Dan Carlson, Fire Chief George Esbensen, Public Works Director Eugene Dietz, Parks and Recreation Director Bob Lambert, Community Development Director Janet Jeremiah, Communications Manager Pat Brink, Assistant to the City Manager Michael Barone, Recreation Manager Laurie Obiazor, Economic Development Manager David Lindahl, Recreation Coordinator Sandy Werts, City Attorney Ric Rosow, and Recorder Lorene McWaters Heritage Room H I. COMMUNITY THEATER INITIATIVE City staff and community members are exploring an opportunity to provide community theater in the Eden Prairie Center space formerly occupied by United Theaters. Parks and Recreation Director Bob Lambert said staff wants to get Council's thoughts on the concept and an indication of the degree to which they are willing to pursue it. Lambert also wants community supporters of the concept to have a chance to hear Councilmembers' questions and concerns. Recreation Coordinator Sandy Werts and Recreation Manager Laurie Obiazor presented a PowerPoint presentation on the background and status of arts programs and community theater in Eden Prairie. Obiazor explained the City has a goal of subsidizing up to 75 percent of the costs of arts programs. All of the 2004 programs, with the exception of the concert series, were able to meet or exceed this goal. Obiazor also reviewed new arts programming for 2005, including "Fun Fridays at Noon" at the new Purgatory Creek Recreation Area and a number of programs at the Riley-Jacques Barn. Obiazor reviewed current limitations to the Eden Prairie theater program including limited access to stages, lack of storage space and space to build sets, limited rehearsal space, limited technical equipment, limited and weather-dependent seasons at the Riley- Jacques Barn and the Amphitheatre. City Council Workshop April 26, 2005—page 2 Obiazor said a theater space, such as the one under consideration at Eden Prairie Center, could host theater productions, community band concerts, and dance and music recitals. The space could also be rented out for private use or used in partnership with other organizations such as the Hopkins Center for the Arts and AMC. Economic Development Manager David Lindahl explained that the idea of a community theater grew out of conversations with Alan Young of General Growth about the empty mall space and former Councilmember Jan Mosman about the Eden Prairie Players' need for better space. Lindahl and Building Official Kevin Schmieg inspected the space with Eden Prairie architect Dan O'Brien of Cluts, O'Brien Strother and determined the space could work as a theater space. Lindahl presented the idea of the City using the space for theater purposes to Young, who in turn brought the idea to General Growth corporate leaders. General Growth has indicated it is willing to consider the use,but has not made any promises. Lindahl is also exploring a partnership with AMC theatres which would provide space for them to show films as well as managing the overall space. Lindahl will have further discussions with AMC in the next few weeks. Dan O'Brien presented a concept plan for the space, which includes a"black box" theater space, an art gallery, a set shop, dressing rooms, custom storage and more. He said his design minimizes retrofitting of the space to reduce construction costs. The black box theater concept features no defined seating, stage or lighting, which allows each director to specify the setup that works best for their production. O'Brien noted that he has not consulted with the Eden Prairie Players on this concept,but rather it is based on his previous experience designing similar spaces. Lindahl noted that O'Brien has not charge the City for his work to day and the plan was developed before the concept of partnering with AMC came up. Lindahl asked for questions and comments from Council. Mayor Tyra-Lukens said she likes the concept, and she thinks this would be a great use of the space. She liked that O'Brien's plan calls for little new construction. Tyra-Lukens asked what sort of deal Lindahl envisions making with General Growth. Lindahl said he feels the owners are willing to work with the City,but there are so many unknown variables right now, such as operating costs and costs for retrofitting. Lambert said Council is not being asked to make a decision tonight;however, at next week's meeting they will be asked to consider approving a feasibility study to determine costs for subsidizing such a project. Councilmember Aho asked if Lambert has any idea of costs at this point. Lambert said that will depend largely on whether or not AMC is involved. Councilmember Case asked if General Growth is ready to talk about the financial piece. Lindahl said they are, but he does not know to what level of detail. Aho asked if staff has a gut feel about whether or not enough revenue could be generated from rentals to break even on the space. Lindahl said if AMC is involved it is possible the City could break even. Case said he doesn't think the goal of any City program is necessarily to break even, but rather to minimize City Council Workshop April 26, 2005—page 3 costs while responding to community needs. Butcher suggested looking into corporate sponsorships as a way of subsidizing programs. Butcher said overall she thinks this is a very good idea. Council Chamber II. OPEN FORUM No one appeared at Open Podium. III. OPEN PODIUM No one appeared at Open Podium. IV. ADJOURNMENT