Mr. Albero:
I am not looking to have my actual email posted, or my name - I am just making a suggestion -
That paper you hate has an article posted about the old Boulevard Theater -
http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20090112/NEWS01/90112007
I took particular note of two things -
1) They plan to donate the money from auctioned contents back to the Salisbury-Wicomico Arts Council - which is the organization (though granted, under different leadership) that let it deteriorate in the first place. They also sold the property to Moore in the first place.
2) That after the demolition, "Moore’s original intention for the property was to develop it into a mixed-use commercial and residential space, similar to his work on the old Manhattan Shirt Factory, which is now Manhattan Square Lofts and Condominiums. But Moore said due to the market, he isn’t sure what might pop up there or when and if the option remains open for another developer to come in."
I wonder what your readers would think about possible uses for the space, since there has been a lot of talk about the downtown area on your blog.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
10 comments:
It's nobody else's business what goes up there. The planning and zoning dept. gets their say, but it is NOT a public issue. Period. Mind your own business.
Make a graveyard at least then we will have some where to bury our American dreams.
David Moore is up to his eyeballs in debt, same a Tom Ruark. They are calling in their favors to Barrie Tilghman.
Anonymous said...
It's nobody else's business what goes up there. The planning and zoning dept. gets their say, but it is NOT a public issue. Period. Mind your own business.
9:19 AM
I totally disagree with you on your comments? Is this BPT or a FOB. I to saw the article yesterday and I was hoping someone would get Joe to post some comments on it.
It is our business and I demand to know what goes on in that business. The Arts Council scammed the taxpayers into this free donation and then scammed our government, read tax dollars, into more hand outs. I want to know how they can get a donation and then sell it to David Moore for a profit of over $200,000. They took possession of this building and ran it into the ground.
Now the Arts Council is trying to get the old fire station on Division Street donated to them. I would certain use this building as a red flag to any further donations to the Art Council.
Please open the below link and ask your elected officials where this money went? Can anyone see a name in there that relates to a crooked politician? This is an outrage and the citizens should be demanding answers. Read it and weep. How soon we forget.
State of Maryland Bond Bill Fact Sheet
http://mlis.state.md.us/2005rs/fnotes/bil_0005/hb1535B.pdf
Would building lofts or condos improve the downtown area? There are lovely ones built right on the plaza, on both ends - but the ones near 13 are empty and still for sale, and the ones on the plaza didn't help to improve things there, based on the recent posts on this blog.
But if the building is torn down and the lot sits empty, it will certainly be an eyesore, and vacant lots downtown have historically become breeding grounds for crime and drug sales.
Could this lot be donated BACK to the community as a playground, greenspace, or something?
a playground or green space would be lovely idea
picnic tables for the homeless and addicts to sleep on would be a nice improvement
Who isn't up to there eyeballs in debt(except for joe)? Plus, are you privy to Moore or Ruarks balance sheets?I don't see how Tilghman has anything to due with Moore,Ruark or the inner workings of the arts council.
mlis.state.md.us/2005rs/fnotes/bil_0005/hb1535B.pdf
State of Maryland
Bond Bill Fact Sheet
1. Senate Bill # House Bill # 2. Name of Bill
HB1535 Legislative Community Initiatives Loan of 2004 - Wicomico
County - Boulevard Theatre Performing Arts Complex
3. Senate Bill Sponsors House Bill Sponsors
Delegate Norman H. Conway
4. Jurisdiction (County or Baltimore City) 5. Requested Amount
Wicomico County $175,000
6. Purpose of Bill
This bill removes a requirement that the granteee grant and convey an historic easement to the
Maryland Historical Trust. The original legislation authorized a State grant to the Board of
Directors of the SalisburyWicomico Arts Council for the design, construction, renovation,
reconstruction and capital equipping of the Boulevard Theatre, to be converted into a Performing
Arts Complex, located in downtown Salisbury.
7. Matching Fund Requirements
The authorizing legislation requires a matching fund, which may consist of real property, in-kind
contributions, or funds expended prior to the effective date of the Act.
8. Special Provisions
Note. This fact sheet amends prior information solely to remove the granting to the Maryland
Historical Trust a perpetual preservation easement to the extent of its interest in the property. This
amendment is to eliminate this provision, a request with which MHT concurs. Therefore, there are
now no special provisions on this bond bill.
2 of 5
9. Description and Purpose of Grantee Organization
Founded in 1967 as the first arts council in Maryland, SWAC has a history of developing
programs and services to meet arts needs in the community -- needs of both arts groups and
audiences.
From its very first year, in 1967, the Arts Council has worked with agencies such as the
Greater Salisbury Committee and the Del-Mar-Va Advisory Council on various options for a
cultural center. We believe that the Boulevard Theatre now provides precisely that long-awaited
opportunity.
In its early years, SWAC arranged community arts programs when there were no regular
exhibiting or dance organizations in the area. Gradually, as new groups were formed SWAC
switched to more service work, providing promotion, coordinated ticket sales, and funding.
During the 1990’s SWAC returned to some of its direct presenting with the “NEW YEAR,
Eastern Shore!” program. This program was initiated to provide a family-oriented, non-alcoholic
New Year’s celebration through the arts. By presenting ALL the arts -- those locally based and
those regionally imported -- SWAC supported the arts equally, and expanded audiences for all the
arts.
This belief leads naturally to the Performing Arts Center where SWAC would act as
manager of the theatre, making it equally accessible to all local arts groups and also act as an
importer of outside arts programs.
SWAC’s mission statement is: "To enhance the quality of life in our community by
fostering arts awareness and education and by promoting a rich diversity of artistic experiences for
all ages. We will accomplish this through leadership, support and funding of the arts."
Managing an arts center would be a very tangible way to meet SWAC’s mission statement
and purpose in the community.
• SWAC’s strengths in membership: SWAC’s membership last year was over 450
businesses, families, artists and individuals and about 30 arts organizations.
• SWAC’s strengths in community visibility and perceptions: Over the years SWAC has
worked with many community organizations. A sample listing includes: Urban Salisbury, Inc., the
Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce, Greater Salisbury Committee, Big Brothers/Big Sisters,
Joseph House, Go-Getters, Sunrise Rotary, Maple Shade Center, Deer’s Head, The Wellness
Community, Dove Pointe, Waterview Health Care, and the HotSpots Church Street program.
These connections will benefit the Boulevard restoration.
10. Description and Purpose of Project
The existing facility known as Movies 6 and by its previous name, the Boulevard Theatre, located at
the intersection of Route 13 and Main Street in downtown Salisbury is proposed for conversion
from a movie theatre complex into a performing arts complex.
Current ownership of the building resides with the SalisburyWicomico Arts Council (SWAC), the
facility having been deeded to the Arts Council in April 2002.
It is anticipated that the creation of a long-awaited performing arts center in Downtown Salisbury
will answer many needs of the arts community, spark downtown revitalization efforts, galvanize
community pride and offer tourism incentives.
Given the prime location of the facility it will be highly visible and provide Salisbury with an
architecturally significant and community based asset.
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Round all amounts to the nearest $1,000. The totals in Items 11 (Estimated Capital Costs) and 12
(Proposed Funding Sources) must match. The proposed funding sources must not include the value
of real property unless an equivalent value is shown under Estimated Capital Costs.
11. Estimated Capital Costs
Acquisition $850,000
Design $500,000
Construction 3,665,000
Equipment 350,000
Total 5,365,000
12. Proposed Funding Sources – (List all funding sources and amounts.)
Source Amount
2004 State Grant already approved 175,000
Acquisition 850,000
Private and Corporate Fund Raising 3,500,000
Grants and Foundation Support 700,000
Local Government Support 140,000
Total $5,365,000
13. Project Schedule
Begin Design Complete Design Begin Construction Complete Construction
June 2004 Jan. 2005 (schematic) May 2005 Sept. 2007
14. Total Private Funds and
Pledges Raised as of January
2005
15. Current Number of
People Served Annually at
Project Site
16. Number of People to be
Served Annually After the
Project is Complete
$233,942 -0- (site closed) 30,000+ in 1st yr.
17. Other State Capital Grants to Recipients in Past 15 Years
Legislative Session Amount Purpose
N/A
18. Legal Name and Address of Grantee Project Address (If Different)
SalisburyWicomico Arts Council
PO Box 884
Salisbury MD 21803
Boulevard Theatre
317 E. Main St.
Salisbury MD 21801
19. Contact Name and Title Contact Phone Email Address
Davina Grace Hill, Executive Director 410-543-2787 410-543-2787
20. Legislative District in Which Project is Located 38th District
21. Legal Status of Grantee (Please Check one)
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Local Govt. For Profit Non Profit Federal
22. Grantee Legal Representative 23. If Match Includes Real Property:
Name: Has An Appraisal Yes/No
Phone: Been Done? YES
Address: If Yes, List Appraisal Dates and Value
3/1/2001 $850,000
a current appraisal
is being contracted
at present.
24. Impact of Project on Staffing and Operating Cost at Project Site
Current # of
Employees
Projected # of
Employees
Current Operating
Budget
Projected Operating
Budget
2 FTE 7 FTE $245,000 $390,000
25. Ownership of Property (Info Requested by Treasurer’s Office for bond issuance purposes)
A. Will the grantee own or lease the property to be improved? OWN
B. If owned, does the grantee plan to sell within 15 years? NO
C. Does the grantee intend to lease any portion of the property to others? YES
D. If property is owned by grantee and any space is to be leased, provide the following:
Lessee
Terms of Lease
Cost
Covered by
Lease
Square
Footage
Leased
It is anticipated that a small percentage of the
building (est. 2,000 sq.ft. of the ultimate 24,000
sq. ft. in the building) will be leased to a food
concession and/or small related retail operation
(such as a record store, bookstore, photography
studio, etc.). This is being considered to provide
a stable and secure source of income to operate
the theatre once it open. At this time the terms,
cost and exact square footage of such a potential
lessee are not yet determined.
E. If property is leased by grantee – Provide the following:
Name of Leaser
Length of
Lease
Options to Renew
N/A
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26. Building Square Footage:
Current Space GSF 18,181
Space to Be Renovated GSF 18,181
New GSF approx. 6,000
27. Year of Construction of Any Structures Proposed for
Renovation, Restoration or Conversion
(complex consists of three
joined buildings; they were
built in 1947, 1983 and
1987.
28. Comments:
Looks to me like they welched on their deal to the tune of $315,000.00 to the taxpayer, and are now adding $200,000.00 profit by getting rid of it. They failed in their promise to turn it in to a performing arts center, an besides the taxpayers' loss stated above, they also bilked several private contributors of their larger money. Now, at least they have a track record that can demolish their credibility... if someone would care to bring it up.
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