Cultural District Task Force Minutes

October 1, 2013

 

Present:

Commissioner Bob Schumm, Mandy Enfield, Mike Logan, Jacki Becker, KT Walsh, Susan Tate, Brenda Nunez, Cindy Maude

Absent:

Grace Peterson

Others:

Diane Stoddard, Tommy Bohler, several representatives from Treanor Architects, and several members of the public were in attendance

 

Commissioner Schumm called the meeting to order.  It was moved by Ms. Tate and seconded by Ms. Enfield to approve the minutes from September 10. The motion was unanimously approved. 

 

Ms. Tate introduced the representatives from Treanor Architects who were present and indicated that they have offered to donate their time to help imagine what the district might look like.  Commissioner Schumm thanked them for donating their services. Ms. Walsh suggested the Treanor representatives consider including some historic architect services from their Topeka office. 

 

Schedules were discussed.  Ms. Walsh stated that Ms. Peterson has an ongoing conflict on Tuesday afternoons because she has a class that she teaches.  It was noted that Ms. Peterson could not meet any day of the week except Tuesday prior to 3 pm.  A meeting time of 11:30 to 1 pm on Tuesday, October 8 was confirmed.  The meeting will be held in the City Commission Room at City Hall.  Participants can bring a lunch.  Another meeting was scheduled from 8-9:15 am on October 15 at the Treanor Building, 1040 Vermont. 

 

Ms. Becker provided the report for East Lawrence.  She distributed a document that summarized the report.  She expressed that generally the concern of the neighborhood was to make sure that things that happen are compatible with a residential neighborhood and be compatible with the 8th & Pennsylvania plan.  Ms. Stoddard mentioned that she would post a link to this plan on the resources section of the Cultural District Task Force web page.  It was confirmed by the east Lawrence residents present that there was a good feeling regarding the work thus far.  Ms. Walsh offered to redraft the prior report draft incorporating the East Lawrence comments.  Ms. Tate asked about the process for the consensus about the report.  Commissioner Schumm stated that he thought that this would be a group consensus. 

 

Nadia Zhiri from Treanor shared a proposal to do a charette process and they would do some drawing and get feedback quickly from the group all in one day.  She said that she wanted to listen to the group about their vision and ideas for the district.  A charrette was scheduled for Saturday, October 19th.  The Task Force was asked to participate on October 19th from 8-9 am and 3pm-4pm.  The charrette will be held at the Treanor Architects building, 1040 Vermont. 

Ms. Walsh reported that Denver implemented a 1% tax on their airport for public art. 

 

Ms. Tate mentioned a trail concept drafted by Michael Almon.  Commissioner Schumm mentioned an open house on the multi modal plan scheduled for October 9th at Aquatic Center 4:30-7:30. Commissioner Schumm mentioned various plans for enhancing walkability and multi modal transportation around Lawrence.  He encouraged the group to attend the meeting to advocate for the Burroughs Creek Trail extension to the north.  Ms. Tate stated that this might be a good area of convergence with other things going on in Lawrence.  Commissioner Schumm mentioned it would be an agenda item for the meeting to consider a letter of support to include Burroughs Creek Trail extension. Ms. Tate offered to draft a letter for the group to consider and sign at next week’s meeting.

 

Ms. Enfield stated that Broward County had a large trail that surrounded the community and included art.  She stated that the county has a cultural affairs division.  She also added that architects and designers were involved in planning the trail, like the Our Town grant.  Commissioner Schumm asked that this be a continuing agenda item- to discuss ideas from other communities.  He suggested that the references from other communities and what they are doing be included somehow in the report.

 

There was a discussion about the percent for art program.  It was stated that this program was used for the upcoming library art.  There is not art currently allocated for the recreation center project.  Ms. Enfield wanted to discuss this at a Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission meeting. 

 

The agenda for the upcoming meeting is to consider a letter of support for the Burroughs Creek Trail, receive ongoing reports from other communities, have further discussion on the draft report, and review city and county data for arts and cultural spending.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 5:07 pm.