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CASE Committee Packet Materials 8.13.2024 970-748-4065 ddempsey@avon.org TO: CASE Committee FROM: Danita Dempsey, CASE Manager RE: Concept for Culture & Arts Building at 351 W. Benchmark Road DATE: August 13, 2024 SUMMARY: This report introduces the concept of redeveloping the old fire station (“351”) into a culture and arts hub further connecting the Town’s culture and arts venues, existing programming and future offerings into the community. A central spot where artists and arts organizations can create without financial burden, exhibit and sell their works, host educational workshops, cultural organizations meetings, etc. A place which enriches the community through easily accessible discovery of the arts, fostering the caring support of the arts and the culture that grows around it. The 351 building is well positioned geographically flanked by Harry A. Nottingham Park, the Avon Recreation Center and the Avon Library. And with approximately 15,000 square feet of space, is appropriately sized to serve as a launchpad grow Avon’s culture and arts efforts. The redevelopment concepts imagine Avon in partnership with the Vail Valley Art Guild (“VVAG”) creating space for ceramics, woodworking, painting, small coffee shop with grab-n-go foods, hosting workshops of all kinds, art exhibits and store front for artist to sell their creations, etc. Currently, there is not another Town owned property or building where this facility is viable in the near term. BACKGROUND: Avon leapt into the arts and culture arena in 2015 with the completion of the Avon Pavilion and expansion of its events portfolio to include multiple live music events, art festivals, cycling finishes, and other community gatherings. In February of 2019, Resolution 19-12 was approved by the Avon Town Council forming the Culture, Arts & Special Event (“CASE”) Committee whose purpose and duties include in part, to “…research and provide guidance and advice concerning development of the Cultural Plan for the Town.” Additionally, in January of this year, the Town entered into a Rent Support Lease Agreement with the Vail Valley Art Guild (“VVAG”) to relocate their headquarters to a ground level commercial space in The Season in Avon and across from Town Hall. Over time, this strategic location will help activate the Main Street Mall and better facilitate community interest and involvement in the VVAG, and culture and arts in general. The Rent Support Agreement terminates December 31, 2026. The desired outcome is the Avon-based VVAG is better poised to play a key role in the development of a culturally diverse portfolio of offerings, increasing the social and economic vitality in Avon. In 2021, the Town made great strides towards culture and arts offerings with the addition of the (1) Art Around Avon rotating art program (2) installation of the Enjoy Life | Disfrute La Vida! Mural (3) installation of nine historical markers and (4) Painted Benches Project, to name a few projects. Furthermore, as outlined in the 2024 General Government Department Goals, the La Zona project identified the 351 properties as an appropriate location for the development of a community event, gathering space, and art center. Moreover, members of CASE, Vail Valley Art Guild and Staff conducted site visits with the towns of Silverthorne and Gand Lake earlier this spring with plans to visit the towns of Breckenridge and Ridgway later this fall and/or spring 2025. The purpose of these site visits was to gather facility and programming information and conduct networking. Ten years after the completion of the Avon Pavilion, the remodeling of 351 into an arts and culture-related building is timely and in step with Avon’s growing community and burgeoning culture and arts offerings. Page 2 of 3 351 BUILDING SUMMARY & CONCEPTS: The building was vacated by the Eagle River Fire Protection District in 2017 and acquired by the Town of Avon. In the years since, the building has been used for short term housing for a local business owners’ staff and more recently, as storage for event assets, Facilities and Public Operations Departments. The concept envisions the redevelopment will have industrial finishes (exposed metal, wood, concrete, etc.) to help minimize cost. This is best visualized in the large bays with garage style doors, concrete floors and exposed columns. There may be a few exceptions, for example in the kitchen, where if culinary classes, demonstrations, etc., are offered there may be a need for commercial or residential finishes. There are currently approximately 30-75 parking stalls that could support this project (W. Benchmark Road, Rec. Center West, Old Town Halls, Lake Street). That said, parking in and around 351 is cramped and competitive to say the least, and a full parking analysis should be conducted during the planning phase. Full activation and programming concepts for use of the space are not fully fleshed out, however initial concepts include (1) in the two large bays: an art gallery/exhibit space, coffee shop/grab-n-go foods, store front selling local artists work (2) in the two small bays: woodworking and/or ceramics (3) individual art and music studios in the upstairs and/or downstairs bedrooms (4) office and meeting space for VVAG and other arts organizations in the conference room (5) special events, workshops, classes and gatherings in multiple spaces. 351 is approximately 15,000 square feet and houses the following number of, and room types in the building: 2-offices/reception, 14-bedrooms, 6-full baths, 2 ½ baths, 1-kitchen/dining, 2-living room/common spaces, 1-laundry room, 1-conference room. A description of the layout of the rooms on both the first and second floors and images for visual reference are provided and attached as ATTACHMENT A. PEER COMMUNITY SITE VISITS: Staff, members of the Town Council, CASE Committee and the VVAG conducted site visits to two peer communities (Silverthorne and Grand Lake) and attended the Colorado Creative Industries Summit in Pueblo, Colorado. Generally, the salient point resonating with the group is the importance of listening to and engaging the community, the authenticity of the offerings relating to “fit” for the community, and the repurposing of buildings. Based on peer community site visits, Staff believes a structure similar to the Town of Silverthorne’s “Art Spot Silverthorne Makerspace” is a good model to begin discussions. Therefore, a summary of our collective findings from the Town of Silverthorne is provided below with the Town of Grand Lake provided and attached as ATTACHMENT B. As well, ATTACHMENT A includes images from the peer community site visits. 1. TOWN OF SILVERTHORNE: In April of this year, Town Staff, members of the CASE Committee and the VVAG toured the Town of Silverthorne’s (1) Art Spot (2) Silverthorne Pavilion (3) and Silco Theatre, formerly the Lake Dillon Theater. a. Art Spot Silverthorne Makerspace: The Town of Silverthorne applied for and received a $300,000 grant from Colorado Creative Industries to remodel and equip their old fire station. The Art Spot opened in August of 2023 and is an unpretentious, welcoming and colorful building which includes multiple spaces equipped with supplies for making art, teaching, learning, gathering and celebrating. i. Art Spot revenue streams include membership, daily admissions, rental fees, and a 20% commission on art sold in The Market. ii. The General Fund includes $100,000 per year for operations and expenses of the Art Spot. The Town Public Operations Department maintains the property. Page 3 of 3 iii. The Art Spot currently features three (3) studio spaces which are available to local artists to rent. The Town of Silverthorne subsidizes 40% of the rental fee. Artists use these spaces as a store-front and/or workspace to create. iv. “The Market” is the store front selling works of Summit County based artists. The Market is operated by Town staff and open 6 days a week. v. Certified programming spaces include a woodshop (hand and power tools, etc.) and ceramics (8 pottery wheels, kiln, etc.) where the user is required to take the Art Spot provided/led certification prior to using the space. vi. The non-certified spaces where certification is not required include jewelry making, drawing, textiles, candle making, flower arranging, painting, 3-D printing, and much more. vii. Silverthorne Staff described the difference between certified and non-certified space as the latter being “dust-free”. b. Silco Theatre: The Silco Theatre is a beautiful venue built in 2019 for $9 million with the Town of Silverthorne providing $6M and the Lake Dillon Theater Company raising the additional $3M. i. The Town of Silverthorne subsidizes the Silco Theater $250,000 per year to help cover the cost of programming and events. ii. The Theatre revenue stream includes fund raising events, donations, sponsors, tickets, program fees, bar sales, and private rentals. iii. The Theater hosts a theatrical season which includes comedy, dramas, musicals, provocative theatre, concerts, and educational opportunities. iv. The Theater has multiple flex spaces which accommodate different types of seating based on performance type and number of tickets. c. Silverthorne Pavilion: Nestled adjacent to the Blue River and recreation pathways, the Silverthorne Pavilion hosts a multitude of weddings (over 200 each year), concerts, theater, comedy, public and private meetings. i. The Pavilion grounds include cozy outdoor areas with seating and a fireplace. ii. The Pavilion indoor space includes a “ballroom” style room comfortably seating up to 250 guests, a balcony around the parameter, storage and commissary. iii. The foyer includes a large entry way, a bar, and adjacent room for meetings, gatherings, etc. iv. The Pavilion is Town owned and operated. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS: The 2025 Proposed Budget includes a placeholder of $75,000 to engage an Architect to begin the design process and $2M to build out the space with industrial finishes in most spaces. Staff will seek grants to contribute to redevelopment costs and equipment costs. Thank you, Danita ATTACHMENT A: Culture & Arts Center Concepts ATTACHMENT B: Peer Community Site Visit – Town of Grand Lake Culture & Arts Center Concepts August 5, 2024 Culture & Arts Center Concepts: 351 W. Benchmark Rd 8/5/2024 Danita Dempsey, CASE Manager ATTACHMENT A Old Fire Station: 351 Benchmark Road First Floor Full Bath Culture & Arts Center Concepts August 5, 2024 Large Bay Small Bay Open Office Old Fire Station: 351 Benchmark Road Culture & Arts Center Concepts August 5, 2024 First Floor •Six (6) bedrooms. •Two (2) full baths, one (1) ½ bath (shower only). •One (1) conference room. •One (1) small office/reception area w/ storage closet, entry door. •One (1) larger open office space with storage closet and wet sink. •Two (2) small bays opening on the south side of the building. •Storage or other space behind the small bay on west side of the building. •Two (2) large bays opening on both the north and south sides of the building. •Storage or other space at base of steps to second floor, entry door. •Eight (8) bedrooms. •Four (4) full baths, one (1) ½ bath. •One (1) small living room/common space. •One (1) large living room/common space w/ kitchen and dining room. •One (1) laundry room (3 washer and 4 dryer outlets). •One (1) conference room, slightly below the second floor and separated by five to six steps up. •One (1) small hallway converted to a locker room. •Two (1) balconies connected to two different sets of bedrooms. Second Floor Old Fire Station: 351 Benchmark Road Second Floor Full Bath Culture & Arts Center Concepts August 5, 2024 Bedroom Kitchen Open Office Town of Silverthorne: Art Spot Silverthorne Makerspace The Market Culture & Arts Center Concepts August 5, 2024 Art Spot Culture & Arts Center Concepts August 5, 2024 Art Spot Makers Space: Certification Required Woodshop Ceramics / Pottery Culture & Arts Center Concepts August 5, 2024 Art Spot Makers Space: No Certification Drawing, Painting, Jewelry Making, Floral Arranging, etc. Culture & Arts Center Concepts August 5, 2024 Town of Silverthorne: Pavilion Weddings, Live Music, Film, Comedy Shows, etc. Culture & Arts Center Concepts August 5, 2024 Town of Silverthorne: Silco Theatre Dramas, Musicals, Concerts, Educational Opportunities, Comedy Shows, etc. Culture & Arts Center Concepts August 5, 2024 Town of Silverthorne: Silco Theatre Large Theatre | Multiple Seating Arrangements Small Theatre | Intimate Performances Culture & Arts Center Concepts August 5, 2024 Town of Grand Lake: Community House Historical Building (150 years) Theater for plays, concerts, art fairs, etc. Culture & Arts Center Concepts August 5, 2024 Town of Grand Lake: Rocky Mountain Folk School & Pavilion Folk School: Pottery, Boot Making, Chair Canning, Papermaking, etc. Pavilion: Bingo, Pumpkin Fest, Potlucks, Private Rental, etc. Culture & Arts Center Concepts August 5, 2024 Town of Grand Lake: Grand Lake Center Gymnasium: Theater, Pickle Ball, Private Rental, etc. Classroom Converted to Exercise Equipment Culture & Arts Center Concepts August 5, 2024 Town of Grand Lake: Grand Lake Center Classroom Converted: Meeting Space, Private Rentals, etc. Classrooms Converted: Daycare, Youth Hangout 970-748-4065 ddempsey@avon.org ATTACHMENT B PEER COMMUNITY SITE VISIT 1. TOWN OF GRAND LAKE: In May of this year, a site visit included a tour of the (1) 150-year-old Community House (2) covered outdoor Pavilion (3) Rocky Mountain Folk School offering “…western cowboy artisan crafts…” and (4) Grand Lake Center is a repurposed elementary school which the Town acquired from the School District for $10. The Town of Grand Lake became a Creative District in 2018 after eight different non-profit organizations came together to submit the application. The Town contributes $100,000 to the Creative District, which serves as a backstop to cover the cost of production. The local Chamber produces or hires producers for event production/activation. a. Community House: The historic building hosts community theatre on the small indoor stage which through Colorado Creative Industries grant for $136,000, recently updated the lights and sound equipment. i. The local theatre company has a 20–30-year lease for the three main spaces in the Community House. ii. An Art Fair is held in the building and on the grounds, and smaller spaces are used for piano or dance lessons, rehearsal space and the like. iii. The space is also available for private rentals. b. Pavilion: Outdoor covered pavilion with multiple large picnic tables, canvas roll up “walls” and festoon style lighting. i. Regular programming and a dynamic aspect to the space and for the community c. Grand Lake Center: In 2011, the Grand Lake Elementary School ceased operations. The School, purchased by the Town in 2015 and reopened in 2016 as the Grand Lake Center. i. A 22,000 square foot multi-purpose center for the community offering year-round activities for all ages featuring a fully equipped fitness center, indoor gymnasium with basketball/pickleball courts, youth programs and camps, business services, meeting, and event space. ii. Revenue streams include general funds, fitness membership, daily admissions, rental fees. iii. The Public Operations Department maintains the property and helps with setting up events. d. Rocky Mountain Folk School: The Folk School is located in a Town owned building with a rich history. i. The Folk School, which offers skill-based arts and crafts, opened in spring of 2022 to help the community further its creative vibrancy and economic development year-round. ii. The Town covers the cost of programming through the general fund and grants.