The Observation Deck

Ryan Patrick Demro wrote:28. RESOLUTION NO. 8128-06 – A RESOLUTION authorizing the Mayor or his designee to provide a development retention grant in an amount not to exceed Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00) to the Beck Center for the Arts to be used for consulting services to facilitate the analysis of its physical plant for retention of the Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood. (Pg. 43)

This money is being used to examine the structure and changes that could be made to make it more efficient. At least that is my understanding. We were never told that it would examine the financial impact of the arts. I support this cause, but not the financial tool used to further it. There is no reason that this could not be a forgivable loan. The only reason that has been put forth (by Tom Jordan) is that "we don't normally do it this way." Well, I think we are in an age where it time we consider changing our mode of operations.

I apologize for not reading the docket more closely, so my supposition was wildly off the mark and I see that we are also discussing two different things regarding the "forgivable loan."

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by, "The only reason that has been put forth (by Tom Jordan) is that "we don't normally do it this way." Well, I think we are in an age where it time we consider changing our mode of operations." I assume, since it was sent back to the C.O.W. that this form of changing the mode of operations is not something that you support.

And once again, I wonder what the School Board's position is (and the Chamber of Commerce), because if it has been made public, again, I've missed it. The Beck Center operation affects both those groups.

Mr. Warren writes, "The key question one must ask is whether or not the Beck Center has written a building program that states the functional requirements, including square footage for the services planned for delivery in the improved facility.

That is the pivotal issue from any reasonable and serious perspective on space needs and requirements." My interpretation of the docket issue is that this study's purpose is to do that for the existing facility, or a new and improved facility in Lakewood. Of course, Ms. Robert's perfect understanding of a "world-class" facility rings in my ears.

When there are so many inter-related "pieces parts" it is very difficult to see the big picture clearly and there are rumors of more or different factors and considerations every week.

DL:

The big picture question that should governing the deliberation process and subsuming all the pieces of the puzzle is: Does either the Lakewood community or the Westlake community have the capacity, interest and need to yield the capital formation and institution building the Beck Center for the Regional Arts is now imagining for itself in the 21st century?

I suspect the answer is no.

That’s why in my estimation the Beck Center for the Regional Arts is attempting to straddle two cities. But the straddle is premature, a temptation generated by developers looking to accumulate wealth for themselves in the process.

Any politicians brought into the process should attempt, therefore, to slow the conversation down so there is no speedy dissipation of assets.

Or kiss the premature straddler goodbye, pointing the way to the developer, and insisting the Beck Center capture his assets.

The Beck Center’s relationship with Lakewood hinges on past levels of wealth accumulation. As that wealth accumulation level wears down and the Beck Center’s ambitions begin to exceed Lakewood’s capacity, the building program will reveal the future thrust and wherein that occurs.

I think Mr. Call’s take on the management of decline may be an apt description for both sides in the dissipation of accumulated wealth and assets. Are the responses we are seeing strategies in the management of decline?

On the surface of the news reports we see a scattering of assets, $20K on a well-meaning and defensive gesture.

But in times like these assets need to be harnessed for maximum offensive impact on community economic development not frittered on defensive window-dressing.

Does the city have a vision that includes the arts in its vision of community economic development? (I am not saying that we should. I really don’t know. But if we do, then it follows that assets will flow to effect such a community economic development. And that would take a plan.)

Aren’t we still laboring with a community vision from 1993 with automobile dealerships providing that old time tangible tax revenue, which with tax reform is going the way of the dodo bird?

Is the Beck Center as a regional arts center compatible with Lakewood’s vision of community economic development?

In such a light, we need to understand more deeply what the Beck Center’s vision of community economic development could be for Lakewood and likewise what the city’s vision for the arts and/or a regional arts center in its community economic development plan.

Those are the big questions that loom larger than the ugly bidding process played out in the PD, with Lakewood as the inner ring suburb of dissipated income being put to the test to dig as deep as possible to retain a regional arts center.

But these questions can’t be properly answered with a quick and dirty study.

Kenneth Warren

Kenneth Warren wrote:In such a light, we need to understand more deeply what the Beck Center?s vision of community economic development could be for Lakewood and likewise what the city?s vision for the arts and/or a regional arts center in its community economic development plan.

Those are the big questions that loom larger than the ugly bidding process played out in the PD, with Lakewood as the inner ring suburb of dissipated income being put to the test to dig as deep as possible to retain a regional arts center.

But these questions can?t be properly answered with a quick and dirty study.

Kenneth Warren

Ken

This is it in a nutshell. We know what Lakewood can do for the Beck, we can keep it going, we can breath life back into a poorly run mismanaged Art/Theater group that's eye have grown larger than their stomach.

The question is what can they do for Lakewood? What do they offer Lakewood. Are we paying just to have the honor of hosting, or do they truly add to where Lakewood needs to go?

What growth has being the caretaker of the Beck given us? I see no spin off industry. The Rush Inn has the same people sitting in the same seats as 20 years ago. Other bars have changed owners, as one folds and another opens. I know of music schools and teachers in Lakewood that had to close doors after the Beck started their schools. Is it an economic engine, or a black hole, the money pit?

But Charyn is right, we must remove all emotions from this. I see two groups that talk of need for economic development fighting to save the Beck, I find that odd as one rumor had the non-profit Beck leaving and a mall or office building moving in. Both would add more than the Beck as far as economic development.

Also which would mean more to the city from the arts perspective? Is it better to throw money at a "regional" art group that has proven their lack of performance or ability to stay above the red ink line, or, trust a new group of energized Lakewood residents and businesses to build a true community art/theater group or groups?

I noticed with the mere mention of the Beck moving, that at least two very serious groups have sprung into action looking at money and ways to make Lakewood's art culture grow and thrive.

But, up front should be what can they add to Lakewood. A good start would be the property, going back to the city.

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Hi,
Councilman Demro, would you please propose the City ask for the Beck Center to return to the City the buildings that prior administrations gave to them?

If the Beck Center, wants to be a tenant then they should not hold the title to the property.

If the City of Lakewood wants to be the Landlord and spend money on the state of the buildings and study ways to improve their utilization then the City should once again hold the title.

While the taxpayers of Lakewood have a long history of supporting the Beck Center, the Board of the Beck Center chooses to ignore that past support to look at the greener grass up the road. How much money have those courting the Beck Center to move placed into the Beck Center's hands? I don't believe a penny. All the promises are dependant on the Beck Center making the move. So given. the blind eye the Board of the Beck Center is showing, why throw away vital development dollars to them until they show an interest in Lakewood? How could the Board of the Beck Center show interst in Lakewood? By giving back to the City those buildings it now feels burdened with. They won't given them back if Council doesn't ask. Maybe they won't if Council does ask. But my experience has always been you don't know if you don't ask.

Charyn-

I believe the 20k forgivable loan is for the study.

The Beck Center owes the city other money and that loan, as far as I know, has not been forgiven.