Latest News on John Waldron Arts Center

Mayor's Statement Regarding the John Waldron Arts Center

Under an agreement unanimously approved by the BAAC Board of Directors, yesterday, the City of Bloomington will take possession of the John Waldron Arts Center on or before March 31, 2010.

Let me start with the conclusion:

Two primary points:

#1. The Waldron will remain a community arts center.

#2. This agreement is a good result for everyone -- BAAC, City government, and most importantly, the community.

And let me begin with the thank yous, because I don't want them to get lost in the shuffle:

• Concerned citizens of Bloomington and Monroe County who spoke out to save the Waldron.
• Artists and arts organizations -- this Agreement is for you in recognition of all you do for the community's character and commerce.
• City Council members, who made this a priority.
• Waldron Study Group members who, appropriately enough, set the stage for this transition through their efforts to dispassionately and professionally assess both the financial needs of this facility as well as take the pulse of the people who care about its future.
• Miah Michaelson who was coach, teammate, cheerleader, and referee along the way.
• Danise Alano and all the City staff who have assisted daily since late November.
• Kevin Robling and Margie Rice for their legal expertise and negotiating skills.
• BAAC employees and volunteers who have committed themselves to the cause.
• Jim Whitlach, new BAAC Board President, who brought calm to the storm and allowed all of us to take a fresh approach to the problem.
• And to BAAC board members.

The BAAC was intended at its inception to be a steward of the arts, not of a facility. But it's a burden they've shouldered long and, given the realities of running a building, shouldered well.

The good that BAAC has done shouldn't be lost. It invested in the structural integrity of the Waldron more than most people know, and it resolved to remedy the financial realities facing the Waldron, which in turn forced the community to finally confront the issue, as well.

But the greatest role the organization is playing in the story of the Waldron is to entrust it back to the community.

Let me explain a bit about the philosophy as well as to the practicalities reflected by the City-BAAC Agreement.

The City's intent is to purchase the Waldon's assets, which will be needed no matter who owns the building. That way, the City is not simply paying off BAAC's debts but is giving taxpayers value for their dollars.

In exchange, BAAC is conveying clear title to the Waldron along with all its assets to the City.

With that accomplished, the BAAC can move on, and the City can provide safe harbor for the facility as it identifies tenants, managers, and an owner for the facility who will provide financial stability well into the future.

The City's interim ownership assures that the facility will be maintained as a community arts and education center.

It also saves a home for our community radio station, WFHB.

I don't expect the interim ownership by the City to be an extended one, but as long as it exists, City staff will keep the facility open and running.

Individuals and groups with contracts to use Waldron space should notice no change in service.

More specifically on the Agreement's provisions:

• The City is not paying off the Art Council's debt.
• The City is purchasing the assets in the building for $150,000 contingent upon proper authorizations. Those assets are worth at least the purchase price -- and their replacement cost is definitely significantly greater than that price.
• The Arts Council is conveying clear title to the building as well as its assets to the City of Bloomington.
• BAAC is committing to pay all debts, in full, to employees, artists, contractors, and its lender within 30 days of the closing on the building.
• BAAC will have access to its current office space, at no cost, to wrap up it operations until May 31.
• City staff will maintain the building and ensure the Arts Council's lessors have access to the facility.

Some final points:

• WFHB will remain a tenant. A new owner will mean a new rent structure to help keep the facility sustainable, and we'll work with our community-supported radio station to make sure community listeners understand how vital their financial support will be.
• My great hope is the city government General Fund dollars will not need to be appropriated to finance the Agreement. We are considering a number of options, but whatever option is chosen -- and the good news is that there are definite options from which to choose -- the Agreement is contingent upon proper approvals by whatever entity has funding authority. While there is no certainty this is possible, we will seek any possibility to reimburse whatever account is used to finance the Agreement.
• In terms of next steps, the Waldron Study Group's good works have empowered us to hit the ground running. We've already been talking with interested parties about ownership, management, and lease arrangements based on the work product of the WSG.

Information on the Waldron Study Group

The Waldron Study Group is an eight-member mayoral appointed citizen advisory group tasked with the following:

• Analyzing the BAAC's fiscal status as it relates to the fee structure of the Waldron Arts Center
• Seeking input from all interested parties in a neutral, community-based discussion
• Developing productive recommendations designed to ensure the sustainability of the arts center

Members of the study group include:

Sherry Knighton-Schwandt, Indiana University - ArtsWeek
Joni McGary, Bloomington Performing Arts Coalition
Sarah Rogers, First Financial Bank
A John Rose, Textillery Weavers
Susan Sandberg, City Council representative to the Bloomington Community Arts Commission
Lynn Schwartzberg, Bloomington Community Arts Commission
Ron Stanhouse, BAAC Board Member
John West, FC Tucker/Bloomington, Chair

City staff including Legal, Economic & Sustainable Development, and Controller Departments will assist the group in its study. Outside advisors will be consulted as appropriate.

Meetings will be in the McCloskey Room at City Hall on the following dates:
Friday, December 11 9 a.m.
Friday, January 8 noon
Friday, January 15 2 p.m.
Friday, February 5 noon
Thursday, February 18 noon

Study Group meetings are open to the public to observe.

The Waldron Study Group will be hosting a town hall meeting to gather citizen feedback on the Waldron Arts Center on Tuesday, January 26 at 6:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers. The public is invited to attend. Input can also be provided via the Study Group's email [mailto:waldronstudygroup@bloomington.in.gov].

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To contact the group please e-mail [mailto:waldronstudygroup@bloomington.in.gov].

Study group media:

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