Beck Center movement: NOT a rumor!

[Charyn Varkonyi]

Charyn

I would love to be wrong on this one. I understand and agree with your poster child comment. But it is a very thin wire I walk.

I do know that Jim, and I truly dont envy your position.

Please try to remember that we are on the same side and that I DO believe that the Observer is a wonderful, invigorating initiative and an integral part of moving Lakewood forward in the future. Whatever opinions or disagreements I may have doesn't change those facts.

Kind Regards,
~Charyn

[Heidi Hilty]

Jimmy,
When you're ready to start up the new theatre/arts center, let me know. I'm happy to lend my administrative and organizational skills to the process. Also, we have in Lakewood an invaluable asset in the Lakewood Civic Auditorium Manager, Trish Hendy (LHS Class of '82) who has trained countless students over the years in technical theatre production. She has a staff of Assistant Managers who are also talented, especially Bill Langenhop. While I don't presume to speak for them, I would certainly bet they would lend a hand. Just some food for thought.
Much love from your favorite shut-in,
Heidi

[Jim O'Bryan]

Jimmy,
When you're ready to start up the new theatre/arts center, let me know. I'm happy to lend my administrative and organizational...Heidi

Heidi

I know I can always count on you. But in my letter to Councilman Butler and Mayor Tom George I mentioned that you had the Observer running so smoothly I could give 100% of my attention to reorganizing the Lakewood Little Theater as a for profit entertainment center. With little or no help from the city.

You and I both know that the hearts and sweat equity of the residents and businesses will pour out to work on this project. Already have the schedule roughed out.

Let's be honest I knew nothing about the newpaper business a year ago. But entertainment, clubs and stages, makes me smack my lips with anticipation.

Thanks for being Wendy to the Lost Boys.



.

PS - Of course if we get Emmie Rhodes back, hmmmmmmmmmm.

[David Anderson]

Well - Here's the official press release offered by the Beck Center on Friday, June 23.


Beck Center for the Arts

Celebrates 75 Years and Looks to the Future

Cleveland – Beck Center for the Arts, the most comprehensive non-profit arts and arts education center serving Greater Cleveland, will celebrate its 75th anniversary year starting in September 2006. The Center, located just 10 minutes west of downtown Cleveland in Lakewood, is dedicated to educating and entertaining Greater Clevelanders through its critically acclaimed professional theater, teaching of the arts, and gallery exhibitions.

With more than 170 classes offered each semester, at least 125 professional theater performances each season, and regularly changing exhibits of both local and nationally renowned artists, the Beck Center is a community resource that is valued by all who attend and financially support the organization. The unusual combination of professional theatrical productions, curriculum-based education in creative arts therapies, dance, music, theater and visual arts, and the opportunity to exhibit artistic work creates a cultural vibrancy and significant economic impact not found in many other communities.

Although the past few years have been financially difficult for many non-profit arts organizations, the Beck Center has experienced an increase in theater ticket sales, as well as arts education and outreach revenues. During this period, the Beck Center has improved its financial position and management capability as well.

Despite this recent success, and in part because of it, Beck’s Board of Directors recognizes that aging inefficient facilities make it necessary to plan for the future. At a 2005 strategic planning retreat, the Board decided to explore the feasibility of constructing a new arts education and entertainment center housed in an energy efficient facility designed to meet present day needs and future growth. Ideally, the arts center will be part of a neighborhood of retail shopping, residential living and other commercial activity, in order to maximize the benefit that the center can have in stimulating surrounding development.

In preparation for Beck’s 75th Anniversary, a group of Board members has been exploring issues involved in constructing a new facility and, if it is feasible, designing a fundraising campaign that could be launched as part of the year-long anniversary celebration. Based on their evaluation, this group will recommend to the Board a course of action that maximizes the Beck Center’s service to the Greater Cleveland and West Shore communities in the future. Consultants are being retained to evaluate a variety of important issues: to determine the economic impact and benefit of the Beck Center, to conduct a market analysis of possible locations, and to justify to the community the funding that will be needed. The goal is to build a well-designed and attractive facility that will serve the community’s needs well into the next 75 years.

“We know that a project of this magnitude will require a number of major gifts, as well as financial support from the public sector,â€Â￾ says Beck Center Board Chair, Frederick Unger. “Preliminary estimates for a project of this scale are $19 million to $20 million. Because we will need the help of all those who value the arts to raise the needed funding, we are considering development of our Lakewood property, as well as other locations where it is clear that this financial support will be provided.â€Â￾

For further information contact Yvette Hanzel, Director of External Affairs, at (216) 521-2540, ext. 225.



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[Jim O'Bryan]

David

This release really seems like this process is just starting yet conversations with others would show that it is far along.

This release does not mention Crocker Park or the offer that Bob Stark has been fine tuning for over 6 months.

Where does Fred Unger's quote of, "It will take 2-5 years for the new facility to be built," come from if/they are only now looking for a possibility of a new building and a "look" at possible growth.

As much as I want the Beck to stay here, it is very hard to get excited about raising money for a center that has a serious offer on the table from Stark and Westlake.

Let me be the devil's advocate. What if Lakewood and the residents commit 100% to the fund raising only to find out later that it was only to build equity for Westlake and Crocker Park?

While I am sure that Beck sees themselves as a community/regional theater, many in Lakewood do not yet see the "regional benefits" of loosing something we helped build and support through their tough times now bail out on Lakewood for the other side(greener?) of the street.

This to me is the single biggest problem. Whoever is trying to organize this has started all wrong. To get offers from others and come back to Lakewood for what can only be called "Match or Beat this offer" shows no respect to the city that nurtured and helped the Beck. Why wouldn't the headline in the PD read, BECK fights to stay in Lakewood?

As a person that is always working to build the Lakewood brand and bring in new residents I have to think the PD story did much harm to Lakewood and the efforts of hundreds that work for arts, schools, and perceptions of the town we love. I am sure many saw it as, "look what Lakewood lost"

While having a great conversation with Fred Unger last week, two things were clear. He was concerned about the long term viability of the Beck, and that the future might/probably will take it out of Lakewood.

As I wrote in the upcoming issue of the Observer, this is almost the same as the Browns moving. Art Modell had every right to want a new stadium after all the Tribe got one, Playhouse Square was being rebuilt, the city had helped the Science Center and the Rock Hall. But at the time the city was tapped out. Instead of being part of the revitalization of Cleveland he chose to hurt it publicly and stormed off to Baltimore. 5 years later Cleveland had a new world class stadium and a semi-pro team playing there just like before.

Let's see the Beck Center turn down the Stark offer as publicly as they floated it, sign a long term commitment to stay in Lakewood without any promises. Help us as we helped them. Then maybe we can get on with the fund raising, and work together to secure the Beck better facilities in Lakewood.

Another interesting question would be some of the verbal commitments made by the Beck 18 years ago when the last deal was forged. More than one person remembers much of this was based on NEVER leaving Lakewood.

But I would rather let them go than MAKE THEM stay. Lakewood is in the middle of a powerful resurgence, Historic areas, Entertainment areas and Arts areas that spread from on end of Lakewood to another. Lakewood has 6 great theater stages, with two more coming online. Three recording studios, two film companies, a deep music history. Westlake has Cheesecake and I am sure something else that would attract art lovers.

FWIW

[David Anderson]

Just to let you readers/writers know, I am not affiliated in any way with the Beck Center. The press release came to my attention and I simply posted it on this forum to further the discussion.

(Jim, you may not recognize my name but I'm your former neighbor from the big white triple two houses east of you on the south side of Franklin who then bought a house on Riverside and now lives on Narragansett.)

[Jim O'Bryan]

Just to let you readers/writers know, I am not affiliated in any way with the Beck Center. The press release came to my attention and I simply posted it on this forum to further the discussion.

(Jim, you may not recognize my name but I'm your former neighbor from the big white triple two houses east of you on the south side of Franklin who then bought a house on Riverside and now lives on Narragansett.)

In our house we simply refer to you as our favorite neighbor.

We also had a copy of the release but some some glaring holes, that we wanted to sort out. Our story hits the streets tonight. Michael Gill's hit the streets tomorrow.

Last night I found out that the first talks with Stark were four years ago, and that he approached the Beck during the civil war in Lakewood.

Calls and emails have really shed some light on this entire deal.

Dave how is the family, up to ten kids yet? Mom seems to be doing OK.


peace

[Jeff Endress]

It is my understanding, and perhaps either Mike Gill or someone from the Beck board can confirm, that Stark has floated a proposal which has not been made public, and Lakewood is being "asked" to make its own offer....which is pretty difficult if you don't know the basis for the bidding. Hopefully our scant municipal dollars and resources won't be used to maintain the Beck for the time it takes to complete its new Westlake home.

Jeff

[Jim O'Bryan]

It is my understanding, and perhaps either Mike Gill or someone from the Beck board can confirm, that Stark has floated a proposal which has not been made public, and Lakewood is being "asked" to make its own offer....which is pretty difficult if you don't know the basis for the bidding. Hopefully our scant municipal dollars and resources won't be used to maintain the Beck for the time it takes to complete its new Westlake home.

Jeff

Jeff


You sumed it up perfectly. Because the way the deal has come down, and that the city knows that talks go back at least 4 years with Stark, and that the past 6 months have been hard at it. It is tough to know how to play it. Does the city risk wasting valuable resources even chasing the deal? Numbers that accompany most of the rumors are numbers the city could never touch. $25 million to $50 million?

As I have told members of the Beck, "heck you will only be ten minutes down the road." I haqve no idea who is handling things for the Beck but it has to be the worst handling of a deal I have seen in decades.

.

[Jeff Endress]

Jim

If we learn that there has been duplicity on the part of the Beck, talking about studies, options, "we've not yet decided anything", etc., when they unveil their plans for the Crocker Park Life Style Arts and Theater district, I would hope that the residents of Lakewood voice their disapproval with a complete boycott of the facility. I remember when all advertisers withdrew support of Model's Browns....all the blank spots in old Muni Stadium, over his similar action.
But I guess we'll just have to wait and see. But for my money, the complete lack of any statement ("yes we were approached, but we've turned down the offer. We're staying in Lakewood") and the lack of candor or disclosure of the admitted "offer" points to only one inescapable conclusion: The Beck is going, and now the only issue remaining is damage control and trying to maintain teaching staff, etc. until the new center is ready.
I would heartily recommend the Playhouse Square Broadway series for theater fans. Musicians can be accommodated at our own Educator's, countless in-home teachers, Cleveland Music settlement, BW......we should get a "Guide to the Arts" set to go so that those getting hosed will know where their options are.

Jeff

[dl meckes]

Michael Gill's article is available at http://www.freetimes.com/story/364

Tony Brown looked at the Beck situation this morning http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/entertainment/1151483552148220.xml&coll=2.

[Phil Florian]

dl, thanks for the links. Tony's article is interesting and really sums up a lot of the discussion that has been happening on the Observer. The question of to stay or go, the impact it will have on both communities, the risks, the benefits...minus our handwringing, of course. The one that came up here once but one I have to think should play an important role in the decision but might not. Tony says it best:

But there are risks in the Crocker Park option, including the possible alienation of the Beck's Lakewood supporters, the lower housing density and - most important - preservation of the Beck's artistic freedom. The Beck succeeds with a mix of blockbuster crowd-pleasers such as Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" and smaller works such as the recent "A Man of No Importance," about a Dublin bus conductor who comes out of the closet as a gay man.

In Lakewood, that goes over. But would it in Westlake?

I know for a fact that there are plenty of folks at the creative level of Beck that find this important but do the "culture friendly bean-counter(s)" (as Tony calls one of the Board) have that in mind? Since the decisions behind this seem to be a bit more leaning on the economic side, I would say probably not but I think this is one of the hopeful comments on this whole issue. Beck has risen in acclaim of late mostly because of the bold season schedules and risk-taking shows. Will Beck become no more than a larger version of the fun Clague Playhouse? That is a fine institution in Westlake but "Wait Until Dark" is about as controversial as it gets. They know their audience and have the space to sell out each run but is there room for more of the same only writ large? A cool point that I hope to hear more about.

I hate to agree with the conspiracy theories that say this is a done deal, regardless of talks with the city and "hiring consultants" but I think hosting the fundraiser in Westlake this Fall, already scheduled, seems like the nail in the coffin.

So Jim, what do you want to call your theater??

[Phil Florian]

After reading the second article from the Free Times, a couple things struck me. The author's tone was much more personal as he describes the "out-migration that has dismembered Cleveland" and the "poaching of one city's asset." It is clear where this author's allegiance lies.

This article was also the second time I read Mr. Unger's somewhat pompous and conceited statement, "we will see who really cares about Beck Center" which starts to put me in Jim O's mindset of "let them walk." If we go by stats (as noted in the article), clearly Westlake is only half as supportive as Lakewood is (or even a third if you look at class enrollment). That is obviously not what he means but that makes it even more apparent what is driving this decision.

But this article made some other points that have not come up in the Observer commentary (at least that I remember), namely that some of the bigger local arts foundations, like the Gund and Cleveland Foundations, tend to want to support Cleveland and inner ring suburban endeavors and Beck, heading to the furthest edge of Cuyahoga County, doesn't fit the bill. Is Stark's offer enough to make up for the loss of such traditional arts funding from those organizations?

I had heard that a quarter of ticket sales and almost a third of class enrollment at the Beck were from Lakewood but was surprised that only 10 and 12 percent respectively of these two incomes were from Westlake. That was an interesting statistic Mr. Gill cited.

This article, with its obvious pro-Lakewood bias, reveals a bit more hope for the Little theater that could staying in Lakewood. Which puts my mind in more conflict because of the clearly mercenary mentality that Mr. Unger (and probably others on the Board of Trustees) has towards this whole deal that turns my stomach.

One last thing that was even more of interest was the fact that there was already a group of concerned Citizens of Westlake have already put in motion their OWN idea for a homegrown theater in that area. How splendid is that?? Had Stark even looked to his own chosen community to see what THEY want?

And I have to end with that wonderful quote from Mary Louise Madigan, "If you love Lakewood so much that you built Crocker Park to look like it, why don't you just move here." Priceless.

[Jeff Endress]

But the Beck will have an opportunity to get a sneak preview of its possible future in October. The arts center will hold a gala fund-raiser at La Centre, a corporate gathering place in Westlake

We'll need press credentials so we get a chance to see the new Westlake Fine Arts Center model.

Just a thought......you don't hold gala fund raisers, without a plan to be funded. So, is this an effort at fund raising to start an endowment, or the grand unveiling to line up corporate donors to finance the vision which will be unveiled? If it's lining up donors they will not be offered a Lakewood or Westlake option. It will be a slick presentation, complete with models and a slick powerpoint presentation of the plan they want funded. (The powerpoint will also distributed to the antendees on a nice DVD encased in a special folio). I know where money is.

As to the consultants....I haven't read their report, but my sense tells me that it will say that there is more economic opportunity in the move, and give median income levels of Eastern Lorain and Western Cuyahoga as the rational for projected increased revenues, and usage. I think they've hired Dog and Pony Studies, LLC.

Jeff

[Phil Florian]

Jeff, I like the Dog and Pony company. Very thrilling but a bit predictable in what they roll out.

As to the consultants....I haven't read their report, but my sense tells me that it will say that there is more economic opportunity in the move, and give median income levels of Eastern Lorain and Western Cuyahoga as the rational for projected increased revenues, and usage.

This is probably true. Thank the gods not every theater company does this or else there would be no theaters in Cleveland or inner ring suburbs.