Beck Center Letter?

[Joan Roberts]

Again, it seems to a layperson that Lakewood is uniquely well placed to lose the Beck without missing too many beats.

We have an abundance of "spaces" where art can thrive, in terms of some of our older storefronts and soon, a few school buildings.

We have a solid recreation infrastructure which, I believe, could easily be expanded to include other arts classes.

We have a cadre of people who can provide the creative resources (wish I were among them

And we have an enviable resource in the Civic Auditoriium. If they can get Peter Pan to fly, they can host "Urinetown". Granted, there would be scheduling issues, but I do believe those are details.

(Ironic that while Beck is hot to trot for a new facility in Westlake, Westlake High School is forced to hold its commencement at....the Lakewood Civic)

A modest overhaul of the Beck, to allow it to host certain shows, would be less than $20 million, wihle moving a limited number of more ambitious productions to the Civic, could be an integrated, sensible solution.

In other words, Lakewood could lose the Beck more than Westlake could.

An "alternative" fund raiser on October 28 could send an interesting message. It could piss off Mr. Unger, but I believe it's money, not emotion, driving him anyway.

[Jeff Endress]

Alternative fund raiser? Great idea. We need a 501(c)3.....THe Lakewood Foundation for the Preservation of the Arts.....

With any funds raised, we can provide start moneys, and assistance grants for COMMUNITY based art production. Might even be able to get a couple bucks from the foundations that don't approve of the move.

Maybe we could hold it at the Armory?

Jeff

[Jim O'Bryan]

Jeff

Let's be honest here. While 20,000 Lakewood residents were home cleaning, cooking and making the Beck a nice home-life for decades, while they were out sleeping around trying to find a younger, richer partner.


Tim

Again, if the Beck is publicly ready to walk away from the Stark deal then I say let's try it again. But if Stark and Westlake walkaway from the deal, I think we are better off starting all over again.

I have spoken to more than one group that is 100% energized about starting a real "community theater." With funding, schooling, galleries etc.

I for one am one that will always wonder when they will pull up stakes and move out in the night.

Which is one reason I see this as the worst management I might have ever witnessed. I am sure Stark has doubts, Westlake has doubts and every one in Lakewood is tired of being the ugly stepchild. Might end up with no one wanting them!

.

[Bill Call]

Alternative fund raiser? Great idea. We need a 501(c)3.....THe Lakewood Foundation for the Preservation of the Arts.....Jeff

I find it frustrating that no one from the City is taking a lead on this.

The entire council and the Mayor should be working on the new Lakewood Foundation for the Preservation of the Arts. My gut feeling is that many of them will show up at the fund raiser for Westlake's Beck Center for the Arts.

The Beck has every right to move out of town. The citizens of Lakewood are under no obligation to fund that move.

[Mark Crnolatas]

If Beck Center leaves, picture this on a sign, "The Lakewood Center for the Arts". Just a thought.

[Suzanne Metelko]

Beck has had a myriad of opportunities to develop new programs, partners and revenue streams in the past decade. The board was never interested. Working with Lakewood Public Schools was just one missed opportunity. I wonder if that letter went to River, Westlake, Bay etc. How much money are those communities contributing? And what do Cleveland Foundation and Gund have to say about this move? They've put in quite a bit to this organization, not to mention Lakewood's Ohio Arts Council dollars for years being gobbled up by Beck. Are River, Westlake, Bay etc going to make sure all of their Ohio Arts dollars go to Beck? How does this move figure into Beck's long range plan?

Jim's analogy is right on.

[Shawn Juris]

So does this mean that I can start renting out the old Armory again soon. I can't wait to throw some parties for the residents of Lakewood over there. Maybe a Kid friendly New Year's event or a Business Leaders banquet with the proceeds going to the Lakewood Foundation. Just waiting for the okay to start booking events and giving a $1000 check for hall rental that's sitting vacant for those hours.
Anyone out there on this board of trustees? They've been invited to get involved on a number of occassions that I know of and haven't heard from anyone yet. Sounds like such a great asset, be a shame for them but great for the next group that walks in to manage the space.

[Jim O'Bryan]

So does this mean that I can start renting out the old Armory again soon.

While it sounds good, the Beck Center owns the property because someone gave it to them instead of leasing it for a $1.00 a year.

Another mistake I hope never happens.

I wonder if they will give it back? Or do they use it as part of the deal with Stark!

Parties sound nice.


Jim

[Suzanne Metelko]

To the best of my knowledge, Beck no longer has any trustee from Lakewood.

[Shawn Juris]

Interesting release through Lakewood Alive regarding open positions on their Board of Directors. I've also been pleasantly surprised at their support of an event the Jaycees are looking into. Seems that the effort is being made to turn things around and retain this amenity in Lakewood.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Interesting release through Lakewood Alive regarding open positions on their Board of Directors. I've also been pleasantly surprised at their support of an event the Jaycees are looking into. Seems that the effort is being made to turn things around and retain this amenity in Lakewood.

Shawn

Or is it a desperate effort to keep the Center going for as Fred Unger said in the PD four to five years before their new building is being built at Crocker Park?

No one of the "community board" new anything about the move. Only Fred and a couple higher ups were involved. Now that the letter to Lakewood residents failed. Some of us see this as a last ditch effort to pin the loss on Lakewood residents not on the Beck putting this deal together almost 8 months ago now.

The Beck sends out letters asking for Board members at $1,000 a pop. When no one signs on Beck goes public and says, "There is no interest by Lakewood residents, we have to move"

PURE PR BS.

So here is the Beck, caught sleeping around and no where to live until the divorce is final.

What I found interesting was that they are only looking for 2 residents from Lakewood to give it a feel of Lakewood. I also found it interesting that the person that sent out the call for Lakewood support for the Beck, does not live in Lakewood either.

I have been talking with a new group that is really going to push with the Lakewood Only thought for running Lakewood "groups." The Beck was just another straw, along with schools, police, fire and city hall. I think this will be an interesting couple months ahead.

FWIW


.

[Bill Call]

Now that the letter to Lakewood residents failed. Some of us see this as a last ditch effort to pin the loss on Lakewood residents not on the Beck putting this deal together almost 8 months ago now.

I thought the letter was a threat and not an invitation. How do you know it failed?

I was told last night that the City has agreed to pay for half costs of the Beck's relocation study. I have also heard that the City refused to pay for the study. That person also denied that any serious discussions were made with Crocker Park or Westlake. He said there was only one discussion two years ago.

Does anyone out there know the truth? And why should anyone even have to ask that question?

[Stan Austin]

Bill, and all others---

Planning Director Tom Jordan is actively engaged (and has been) with the Beck Center to see how the City and Beck might proceed.

I might add that Jordan is proceeding in a steady, prudent fashion so as to not get the City stampeded into intemperate actions.

Stan Austin

[Shawn Juris]

I'm sure it's been said but business is business. Call it naive but if the board goes out and actively recruits Lakewood residents to join their board then I see it as an action to solve a problem that was identified. Their question as well as the city's question is if the support is there to sustain this operation in Lakewood. Call it desperation or creating a justification for blaming the city's residents but their making efforts. It seems strange to criticize the Beck for taking steps to salvage the situation.
Whatever their intention are with opening positions to Lakewood residents, this is a unique opportunity. I hope that the response is overwhelming or else they do have a case for claiming that the interest does not exist in Lakewood.
I'm troubled as well by the implication that those that do not live in Lakewood should not be valued as much as those that do. Seems an outsider/insider perspective that will only reduce our access to support and resources. While it's important for a fair representation on a board, anyone that makes a comment on our fair city should have their statement considered equally.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Shawn

First let's give the Beck their dues. They are no longer a small community theater. They are a large regional arts group. So I have no problem with them having members on their board from outside of Lakewood. It only makes sense. So why doesn't the Beck Center claim that and own that instead of the "move" to appear "Lakewood"? Again it all points to more questions than answers.

Now your thoughts on Lakewood and the need for Lakewoodites in control is something that has been boiling to the surface every now and then. If you are a regionalist and believe that forming a regional government between Cleveland, East Cleveland and Lakewood is a plus for Lakewood, then throw open the doors. Let's have people from outside the city make all of our decisions.

I see it far differently. I know of hundreds if not thousands of people from outside of Lakewood that just do not understand or get the city. They have no knowledge of the past, the present or the future for Lakewood, but they are desperate to try to fit and square peg in this round hole. It always seems to go bad, right after the checks are written.

I have seen people try to turn Lakewood into everything from Belden Village to Milan, Ohio. If you look at little pieces and parts it makes some sense, but when you step back and look at the big picture it makes no sense at all.

Lakewood is a very, very unique city with some very unique possibilities and even some unique answers to the future. In my dream state I think Lakewood is not that far off of a target that will take them deep into the future, so I grow weary when I hear of large changes for a variety of reasons that all seem like red herrings or very long dead ends.

As for the Beck, I think a simple letter and agreement with City Hall to stay 10 or mores years would do wonders. Or even better yet, trade the deed to the property we gave them back to the city for a $1.00 a year rent and a twenty year agreement not to move, then we can get some serious fund raising going.

FWIW