Chatham considers funding a new Performing Arts Center

Posted Monday, June 4, 2007

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Pittsboro, NC - Chatham County is considering funding a performing arts feasibility study to determine if there is there sufficient public interest and support for such a facility and what is the best location for the facility.

Several organizations in Chatham County have expressed an interest in constructing a performing arts center and have proposed three different locations:

1. On the grounds of the Chatham County Fair Association to be built in conjunction with a multicultural museum (proposed by the fair association)

2. On the campus of Central Carolina Community College to be designed so that it could also function as a standard college auditorium (proposed by the community college).

3. In downtown Pittsboro to be built in conjunction with an arts center. The precise location is yet to be determined (proposed by Chatham Arts and the Mayor of Pittsboro).

Each group has its own rationale for locating the Performing Arts Center at its proposed location and with what other facilities it should be combined.

This issue has become more urgent to resolve because the current contract with Louis Cherry, the library/CCCC classroom architect, calls for him to master plan for an auditorium.

Representatives of these groups and several others (including County Manager’s Office, Arts Incubator and Friends of the Pittsboro Library) have been meeting to resolve how this issue would be addressed.
(Identified in this document as “Stakeholder Groups.”)

During a meeting held on May 15, representatives of the stakeholder groups agreed to the following proposal (taken directly from notes provided by Deep River Mediation, who facilitated the meeting):

The Pittsboro campus of CCCC will move forward with the development of a plan for a 200 seat auditorium which would include classroom space. The plan is to be developed in conjunction with existing plans for a library on the CCCC Pittsboro campus.

The administration of CCCC Pittsboro campus is committed to provide continuing support and publicity for a separate performing arts venue.

The administration of CCCC Pittsboro campus agreed to participate in future planning meetings for a museum being developed by the Chatham County Fair Association.

Arts Council representatives and the Chatham County Fair Association will move forward with a performing arts venue feasibility study if approved by the Chatham County Commissioners. This is to include a museum under consideration by the Chatham County Fair Association.

Discussion & Analysis:

The stakeholder groups agreed to request funding from the Chatham County Board of Commissioners to conduct the first part of a two-part feasibility study.

This proposal was seen as advantageous to all.

First, the Chatham County Fair Association requested funds from the County to assist in planning for the museum and performing arts center. Because of the uncertainty of the status of these three proposals, funding was not recommended. By including the museum with the feasibility study, the county will be able to assist the Fair Association with this request.

Second, CCCC is able to move forward with the master plan for a 200-seat auditorium. The “auditorium” was seen as a very different facility from the “performing arts center.” The incompatibility of a community college auditorium and a performing arts center is something pointed out by the consultant whose proposal is attached.

In researching this issue, the County Manager’s Office talked with a consultant who can perform “Phase 1” of the feasibility study which, in addition to performing the first phase of architectural work (known as programming), will also involve each group and the community in defining goals and objectives.

The County Manager’s Office has agreed to get proposals from additional consultants.

The stakeholder groups may also request funding for future planning (such as a detailed site analysis, with cost information). Matching grant funds, up to $10,000, for additional planning is available through NC Arts (County have missed the deadline for this first phase). This first step was seen as a critical step by all stakeholder groups to help clarify goals and gain public input.

Budgetary Impact:

The consultant proposal is for $6,250. Chatham Arts has agreed to fund $3,000 of this amount. The Manager’s Office is recommending that Commissioners allocate up to $4,000 for the feasibility study to give county some flexibility in selecting a consultant.

County Manager's Recommendation:
Approve up to $4,000 for the performing arts feasibility study.