Area arts groups and nonprofits will meet tonight with the City
Council to discuss possible plans for an outdoor theater space and
community garden on the weed-stricken lot off Seventh and
Eigleberry Street. The lot will eventually be the home of the
Gilroy Arts Center, but construction has been delayed due to the
depressed economy.
Area arts groups and nonprofits will meet tonight with the City Council to discuss possible plans for an outdoor theater space and community garden on the weed-stricken lot off Seventh and Eigleberry Street. The lot will eventually be the home of the Gilroy Arts Center, but construction has been delayed due to the depressed economy.
“It’s just sitting there doing nothing and its an eyesore,” said Donna Pray, executive director of the Gilroy Foundation.
In addition to weeds, the lot contains the old Salvation Army Building. The city planned to demolish the building earlier, but Gilroy Arts Alliance, Theater Arts Angels and Gilroy Foundation want to use it. They envision office spaces and a place for artists to display work for sale, Pray said. The building would hold handicapped restrooms, which would bring it and the outdoor theater up to code.
If plans are approved, the three nonprofits will split costs.
“We’re not asking for $1 from the city,” said Pray.
Gilroy Foundations would especially like to contribute to the project because they received a grant from the Packard Foundation to help promote art until the art center is built, Pray said. The nonprofits have arranged for landscape architects to work for free and the Eigleberry Neighborhood Alliance Association would also support the project.
The suggested name for the outdoor theater is “The Bulb” – a garlicky word play on Shakespeare’s “The Globe.” The theater plans are modeled after an outdoor theater in London with hedges for a theater backdrop and tiered dirt seating.
“Its very, very cost effective,” said Arline Silva, who is part of the Gilroy Arts Alliance and The Theater Art Angels groups. The community garden is expected to flow into the natural theater, she said.
Pray spoke with City Administrator Tom Haglund and Mayor Al Pinheiro privately about the idea earlier this year.
“They feel really positive about this,” she said. That said, she is still waiting to present the idea to council.
The city and the nonprofits will have to agree on a lease before the nonprofits can even access the land.*”Everybody is just waiting and waiting” said Arline Silva.
