The City Council gave unanimous consent for area arts nonprofits
to work with city staff to develop plans for a community garden,
theater and temporary arts space in the downtown.
The City Council gave unanimous consent for area arts nonprofits to work with city staff to develop plans for a community garden, theater and temporary arts space in the downtown.
The Gilroy Arts Alliance, Theater Arts Angels and Gilroy Foundation met with City Council Monday evening to discuss a potential, temporary lease on a lot at a weed-stricken on the corner of Seventh and Eigleberry streets – where the old Salvation Army building stands. The city already has plans to develop an arts center on the property, but it has been delayed. In the meantime, the council told the nonprofits it would consider a plan to put up a theater and garden, and transform the old Salvation Army building into a temporary arts center.
“The council directed (the nonprofits) to work with me on a potential lease for future consideration by the City Council,” said City Administrator Tom Haglund.
The lease will come back to the council for approval Oct. 1.
The arts nonprofits envision office spaces and a place for artists to display work for sale, said Donna Pray, executive director of the Gilroy Foundation. 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.
To see the plan, click here.
