City 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