But why do Gilroyans have to wait until 2010 for such an
important piece of the downtown revitalization puzzle?
But why do Gilroyans have to wait until 2010 for such an important piece of the downtown revitalization puzzle?
Bravo for the arts task force members who’ve worked tirelessly and quietly to create a culture and arts center for Gilroy. And we’re thrilled that the facility will be placed downtown.
City Council is poised to purchase the first two lots of several that will eventually become home to a culture and arts center at Monterey and Seventh streets.
We’re also appreciative of the foresight Gilroy arts advocates are showing – they know that just constructing a cultural center isn’t enough – it will take money to run the facility. These types of facilities rarely, if ever, pay for themselves, so arts supporters are planning now to establish an endowment that will help to cover the costs. That will reduce the demand on the city’s general fund, 80 percent of which is spent on police and fire services.
The only part of the scene we don’t like is how long it will take to make the culture and arts center a reality. Assuming all goes well, the center will be done sometime in 2010, City Administrator Jay Baksa said.
That’s right, seven years from now.
The city is issuing $47 million in bonds to pay for the new police station (price tag at last check – $26 million), fire station, library, sports park and corporation yard. Although we’ve quibbled with the price tag on some of these items, we don’t quibble with their importance.
But notice that not one of these projects is located in Gilroy’s long-neglected downtown.
For the good of downtown Gilroy, for the benefit of the arts community, in appreciation for the hard work task force members have invested, we urge City Council members and city administrators to find creative ways to shorten the culture center timeline.
Take a look at Morgan Hill’s downtown – anchored by a beautiful new community and cultural center and small theater – and envision a similar facility for downtown Gilroy. Think of the cultural events, foot traffic, the diners, the shoppers such a facility would draw to downtown.
Let’s make it a reality, and not seven long years from now. Downtown, the arts community and Gilroyans shouldn’t have to wait until 2010.
