Recovery Work Group Project

Written by: Peter Baumgartner

2/22/2014

Outdoor Performing Art Space: Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation

A1. Background and Justification: A Lyons Performing Arts Center is a needed economic engine. Lyons businesses have always been summer dependent and winter desperate. “Lyons Outdoor Games” was one of 4 festivals that helped businesses put on enough fat to last through hibernation. Now with the Town’s white water courses destroyed and water quality suspect the “Outdoor Games” if they are held at all, will likely not have regional tourism draw. While we are encouraged that businesses have begun to fill the spaces vacated by those who gave up, we don’t know if they will be durable. To increase the chances that businesses new and old stay in business, Lyons needs to draw Front Range tourists year round. We need to create sales and sales tax revenue and to create a virtuous cycle lifting the Town towards prosperity. We need outdoor and indoor performance spaces. This report will deal only with the Outdoor Performance Space Project.

Outdoor Performance Space

A2. Project/Program Description.

The outdoor project could be as simple as an enhancement of the existing Raoul Vasquez stage in Sandstone Park. This stage is currently used for concerts on Thursday evenings in the summer. There is no revenue from these events and indeed there is no way to charge for such an event as the site has no physical barriers to entry and the sound quality degenerates as Harley’s straight pipe motorcycles compromises even bands’ amplified sound. Traffic noise along Highway 36 prevents this venue from staging plays as does the inadequacy of the stage itself. This component of the proposal is to make this outdoor venue viable for ticketed events; plays, dance performances, and concerts. To accomplish this the venue needs to be transformed into an amphitheater.

A3. The programs would be designed to enhance, not compete with existing businesses by offering performances that would be of a different genre’ than what is most often offered in Lyons

A4. Scope of work.

An earthen berm is needed along the north side of Sandstone Park to shield the venue from traffic noise, create favorable acoustics, create restricted access and enhance safety from highway hazards. The earth work could be constructed to encircle the performance area stage and seating. Rubble from the area’s stone quarries and flood deposited river rock are readily available as subsurface material. Disintegrated beetle kill pine residue might be considered for a first organic covering of the rubble. The surface could be soil with a hardy grass covering. Locally available, horizontally laid stone could be used to create tiered seating in a smaller scale version of the concert venue Red Rocks.

The stage itself would need to be enlarged as it currently has no viable back stage for costuming and makeup. Lighting and sound equipment would need to be installed and protected. A stage surface with “give” would need to be installed for dance performances. A band shell like the one in Boulder’s City Park could be considered. The orientation of stage and seating might be changed so the audience would have the western, setting sun on their backs, rather than in their face.

Architecture, engineering, materials and capital are all need to create this tourist draw. An enhanced outdoor performance space would also be a cultural benefit for Lyons area residents and a place where local artists could perform and maybe earn a livable wage. Close in parking could be enhanced with the vacating of the skate board ramps.

A5. Having an outdoor performance center in the center of our commercial district would certainly demonstrate Lyons is open for business. Local eateries could offer coupons to draw patrons before and after performances, or set up concession stands on the periphery. Local and regional students could perform what they have learned and in some instances enhance their performing art careers.

A6. Options/Alternatives:

Bohn Park is an alternative location for an outdoor performance center. Lots of parking is already available. A Bohn Park location would not grab attention of highway motorists and so it may not do as well as a Sandstone Park location. Also, having the facility within a short walk to the Town’s stores and restaurants is important for retail recovery. Sandstone has this and Bohn Park doesn’t. Thus, a Bohn Park location for outdoor performance space may not find enthusiasm from merchants. The estimated cost for a Bohn Park amphitheater is $250,000 to $300,000.

The currently for sale “Outlaw Saloon” is an alternative for both an outdoor and indoor performance center. The patio portion of this venue could be altered to be capable of staging plays, dance performances and musical events. An enhanced stage could be built, a sprung dance floor installed and seating with serving be optimized. A tent covering much like the covering that preceded the Wild Flower Pavilion at Planet Blue Grass could convert this area to a three season venue. Estimated cost for this purchase and remodel of this outdoor and indoor venue $1,000,000.

A7. Timeframe.

Project Development Guide (PDG) now. Consideration by the Lyons Board of Trustees in April of 2014. Grant applications spring and summer of 2014. Grant approval fall of 2014. Design stage winter of 2014. Construction winter and spring 2015. Outdoor performances late spring, summer and early fall 2015 and beyond.

B. Project and Program Impact

B1. Relation to the Lyons Comprehensive Plan

In the March 10, 2010 Lyons Comprehensive Plan: “Our Guiding Principles” Executive Summary on Page iii it is written, “Economic Sustainability: Transition from a residential development-based economy to a commercial-based localized economy. Attract Front Range day-trip tourists to support the local economy.” And on the same page under “Quality of Life: Support the public and private provision of cultural and educational services.”

On page 11 of the Plan we read further evidence of consistency with intention, “Economic and Development Objective 2.2: Make Lyons a retail and recreational destination for residents and visitors. Enhance Lyons’ musical heritage by increasing aid and assistance to local musicians and venues. Encourage the promotion of tourism based on Lyons arts and cultural events.”

B2. Demographics impacted.

During our youth education, virtually everyone has at one time or another played in a theatrical production, sang in a choir, participated in a talent show or taken music or dance lessons that culminated in a recital. An outdoor performance center would provide a venue to take worthy youth from small, emotionally secure places and expand their comfort zones in front of larger audiences. Local adult theatre groups would have opportunity for ticketed events that would financially support their missions. Local entertainers who have regional draws would provide benefit for the Town enhancing the Town of Lyons “Brand” as a happening place. Locals who can’t afford to travel to remote venues would have a local place to enjoy gathering and being entertained.

B3. Organizations and persons who can impact this project.

Lyons Chamber of Commerce, Lyons Arts and Humanities Council, Lyons Area Library District, local stone yards and Raoul Vasquez for whom the current stage in Sandstone Park was named for due to his generous contributions. The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Department of the Town of Lyons as the proposal is for an installation in the park. The Walt Self Senior Center residents as they reside closest to the venue.

B4. Area of Impact.

Sandstone Park

B5. This is not a pre-condition of other projects.

B6. Environmental Impact

Air, water, land, sound, light, vegetation, traffic and parking would be impacted by this proposal. During construction there would be the typical impacts that small developments necessitate. Some trees would need to be removed to be later replaced with new and suitable vegetation. After the construction is

completed some attending the event would have arrived in cars that will need to be parked. The relocation of the skate board ramps out of the local parking lot and into Bohn Park might be necessary to provide adequate parking. During the performance sound could only be partially contained with the earthen berm. Additional light would be needed for spotlights and safety walks. Busses bringing people to the event would need to be asked not to idle their diesel engines, which otherwise could compromise air quality. Additional water usage would be inevitable for drinking, toilet flushing and clean up. The land for the amphitheater may remain available for non-performance activities, may have to be partially restricted for other activities, or may have to be largely restricted in order to protect and preserve the venue for performances.

B7. Land Use Impacts

Sandstone Park already contains the Raoul Vasquez stage. No changes would be required in zoning, code changes and would be consistent with the Comp. Plan in its current form.

C. Importance for Recovery

C1. This project/program is envisioned as a long term community recovery project. The program would provide employment in the arts, merchant sales and thus employment in local shops and sales tax revenue.

C2. Achieving Our Post-Disaster Community Vision.

Getting back to where we were before and then moving forward is the idea. The Town needs to recover financially. The Town needs to grow its economy. The Town needs to enhance its brand as a place to come for performances and festivals. This project is part of all of the above.

C3. Reducing Future Loss Best Practices.

Sandstone Park was above the flood. The park was the sight of group emergency meetings, however it lacked amplification. Enhancements described would not be in the flood hazard area and could provide amplification for emergency management speakers.

C4. Sustainable Development.

Local materials are thought to be readily available, relatively low cost, sustainable and part of our clean-up efforts. Removing rock rubble from quarry sites and flooded parks, pastures and home areas has positive end results. Using disintegrated residue from beetle killed pine forests as an organic layer is inexpensive and is in adequate supply.

C5. Beneficial Connections to Other Recovery Projects

Performance Space enhances the work of the Business and Economy Recovery Work Group by drawing Front Range tourists who are likely to spend money once they get out of their cars. The location of this outdoor space likely will gain the attention of commuters who will then think of Lyons for week night and weekend activities. The employment aspect of this project should help provide employment for the occupants of housing that is being proposed.

C6 Building Capacity

Performance Art can bring joy, relief and tranquility needed by those who have suffered.

D. Community Support and Coordination

D1. Approvals Needed

Planning and Community Development Commission, Sustainability Commission, Arts and Humanity Council, Parks and Recreation Commission, and Town Board approvals are needed. Best people to contact are Debra Anthony Town Clerk and Jacque Watson in economic development, Town of Lyons 303-823-6622. Colorado Department of Transportation may require a permit process as the park borders Colorado Highway 36.

D2. This project is not known to be part of a multi-agency effort.

D3. This project would require engineering and architecture. It would require funding for materials and the actual construction.

D4. Support of the Community.

Community support is evidenced by a well processed Comprehensive Plan of Lyons, which reads on page 11 of the Plan; “Economic and Development Objective 2.2: Make Lyons a retail and recreational destination for residents and

visitors. Enhance Lyons’ musical heritage by increasing aid and assistance to local musicians and venues. Encourage the promotion of tourism based on Lyons arts and cultural events.” Plays held in the log cabin besides Dave’s Smoke House Restaurant have sold out. Mintze Wu’s Sounds of Lyons have sold out Rogers Hall even though the people in the back trouble seeing and at times the venue is uncomfortably warm due to the lack of a cooling unit. Planet Bluegrass’ Rocky Grass sells out of 3,000 tickets. Oskar Blues hosts high school jazz band performances that have standing room only. Mayama Movement Studio ownership (located in Lyons) has expressed desire to use an enhanced performance space. The Thursday night music in the park events, held during the summer, are well attended and have not created any known complaints.

D5. The community has the workforce and resources to sustain the project and programs. People within Planet Bluegrass, Oskar Blues, High Street Concerts and Mintze Wu’s Sounds of Lyons know how to promote events. As does the Lyons Chamber of Commerce and the Arts and Humanities Council. Dave Cosgrove Parks Director has event promotion experience as does Economic Development Manager Jacque Watson. Various grants are available for the arts and sponsors and patrons can be expected to step forward.

E. Phasing

E1. Prerequisites

Examine Colorado Department of Transportation’s right of way and need for sight triangles.

E2. Opportunities for implementation include the availability of grant money, construction equipment, construction materials and volunteers. The land is already owned by the Town of Lyons and the site has had use accommodating performance art.

E3. The project and program implementation is very achievable within a three year time frame.

F. Cost Estimates/Financial Considerations

F1. Anticipated Costs.

The estimated cost is $250,000 to $300,000.

F2. Funding could come from a Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery Program. As well as private donations, sponsors, and patrons. The Lyons Community Foundation supports arts within Lyons. A proposed Lyons Library District tax if passed could be partially used to support performing space. The Town of Lyons could budget funds to the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Department for this project.

F3. And F4. No funding has yet been committed. No funding has been expended.

F5. And F6. No detailed operational budget has been created at this juncture. Thus there has been no identification of funding gaps.

F7. Assuming funding gaps occur after a CDBG-DR grant. Likely sources of funding are given in F2.

G1. Feasibility

This project is judged to be highly feasible. Estimated construction costs may be overstated due to the proximity of materials and materials usage that does in some instances not have other demands. This project could be considered low hanging fruit as the land is properly titled, properly zoned and has had usage consistent with the proposal. Parking is readily available and the site is safely accessible by bicycle and foot traffic.