3. The location is not appropriate. Outside of downtown would have allowed for a larger
venue to be built. Parking is not available downtown.
4. The City is not capable of doing it right.
5. Downtown is not worth investing in.
6. The City has lost the momentum and enthusiasm it had for this project right after the
bond vote.
CONCERNS
In terms of concerns about the project, two themes rose immediately to the top during
the interview process:
1. There is a deep distrust of the City’s ability to manage this project.
2. This has to be “done right” or it will fail.
Both are encapsulated in the specific concerns identified below.
Specific concerns not adequately addressed by the case for support documents are:
Parking
Twenty percent of those interviewed named parking as a concern. The site selection
study identified hundreds of parking spots within a short distance of the proposed
performing arts center, but parking remains a concern largely because of the perception
that the parking garages (home to those hundreds of spots) are not safe or do not feel
safe.
Recommendation: Provide the needed upgrades to the parking garages to ensure safety
and feeling of safety.
Retail space
The plan calls for renting the retail space on the first floor. Many wondered what kind of
retail would be attracted to such a large space when retail establishments are leaving
downtown. Others would like to see a partnership with the Currier Museum of Art for that
space, to make it a gallery and/or studio.
Recommendation: Clarify the use of the first-floor retail space (restaurant, gallery, retail
store?). Secure commitment(s) for that space as soon as possible. Clarify the partnership,
if any, with the Currier.
Organizational Structure
Almost all interviewees were relieved to hear that the City would not be running the
Performing Arts Center and that a nonprofit is being formed to do so.
Many of those interviewed stated the need for a strong, independent nonprofit
organization to manage the Performing Arts Center, and expressed that the Executive
Director, as the public face of the Performing Arts Center, needs to be a personable and
compelling leader as well as a qualified manager.
Full Circle Consulting |www.tullcirclenh,com|
