Non-profit group eyeing city sites as possible artists center
From the Citizen’s Voice
By Nichole Dobo, Staff Writer
In 1987, not many people lived in downtown St. Paul, Minn. "Everybody had moved to the suburbs," Chris Velasco, vice president of Artspace told about 50 local residents who attended a community forum at Wilkes University on Wednesday.
"Sounds a lot like Wilkes-Barre," a woman thought out loud. Then Artspace revamped an abandoned molasses factory into an artists' center. Less than 10 years later, more than 5,000 people had returned to downtown, Velasco said.
Now, Artspace, a non-profit group is looking into a similar project in Wilkes-Barre.
This comes on the heels of other announcements of downtown revitalization projects like the possible sale of the call center, plans for the renovations of the Hotel Sterling and a $6.1 million streetlight project.
Artspace of Minnesota has a flawless record, Velasco said. Of the 500 projects it has undertaken in its 25 years, none has failed, he said. In addition, none of the buildings have vacancies because of their popularity with the renters, primarily residential artists and businesses, he said. The overhauled properties pay for themselves, he said.
The planners are looking at four potential sites: the Sterling Hotel annex, the Wachovia building on West Market Street, the Irem Temple on North Franklin Street and the Studio Cafe on Public Square. However, Velasco cautioned against basing the project on a building. Instead, “drive it with your vision,” he said.
Velasco said the arts projects help to drive business into lifeless areas because of the "Soho effect," named after the trendy arts district in New York City. He said businesses - including graphic artists, architects and technology firms - often flock to artsy areas. Joan Alexander, an oil painter from Old Forge, said the notion of an art center in the area was exciting.
"I think there are more artists here than people know," she said. "This could really change the area."
©The Citizens Voice 2005
