I hope you've been enjoying our summer and making the most of it!
As you receive this newsletter, the Council and a mix of city committees are in the process of examining different aspects of the proposed OVERTURE PROJECT. Given impetus by the donation of $100 million by Jerome Frautschi, the Overture Foundation was formed and began working on their vision of support of the arts downtown. This work is now approaching decision-making by the City.
I'll preface the following by stating that I strongly support the concept of using this donation for expansion of the arts in Madison. What a tremendous opportunity we have - who would've thought this would ever be possible! However, I have some real concerns about what's happened thus far and what we're about to act upon. The City, especially the City Council, has paid a very passive role in this process. Everything we're scrutinizing has been determined by the Overture Foundation, not the City. Only with urging by a couple alders, including myself, did three town hall meetings occur. More recently, I introduced a resolution enabling the public to attend the first public hearing on this subject; and the Mayor expects the City Council to vote on resolutions establishing the entire project September 26th. Only very recently have any alders or the public spoken up with questions, concerns and ideas.
Keeping in mind that this is an unprecedented opportunity, one concern is that this chunk of our city-owned downtown, including the Civic Center, is slated to be turned over to the Overture Development Corporation, a non-elected, appointed body governing its functionings. The make-up of the Board of this entity would be comprised of 13 members, only six of which would be city-appointed, with four by the Governor and two by the County. The Corporation will have condemnation powers within the area. It will also have complete control over the functionings of the Overture Project - a very powerful non-governmental body!.
Other concerns have been questions regarding costs and benefits. What will be the impact on current arts organizations if the rents for use will be rising; how will this have an impact on other prospective user groups? Shouldn't this be an opportunity to be more inclusive? And what about the public wishing to attend? Ironically, more people may be excluded because of price barriers. How will the streetscape of the State Street area be affected; will locally-run businesses be able to survive given the rising rents and if not how might this change the character of our central thriving retail area? Since the Overture's declaration, some affordable housing projects have changed their intent to instead become luxury condo developments. What about additional traffic?
Finally, there's the question of location and whether total use of the donation should be confined to the small area of Block 65 or if we should be looking at other sites as well; perhaps spots within the Isthmus? The development might not need to be restricted to one oversized building fulfilling the large performance facility, but include venues for other.. uses in the arts.
If you'd like more information regarding this subject, future public committee meetings, etc, don't hesitate to contact me.
Barbara Vedder
249-8428
district2@council.ci.madison.wi.us