Boucher Shares Views on Mohawk Theater Development
Boucher Campaign On: 10:28AM / Saturday October 22, 2011
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — This is the second installment of mayoral candidate Ron Boucher sharing his views and ideas on important issues facing the city of North Adams. The below discussion focuses on the development of the Mohawk Theater.
"I believe the Mohawk Theater will play a significant role in the economic recovery of the city and also the revitalization of Main Street. Many of us remember what downtown used to be like growing up, with all the consumer foot traffic on Main Street, and re-engaging the Mohawk as an entertainment venue is key to this. I would move immediately to restart the renovation of the Mohawk which has been dormant the past two years under the current administration."
"Key to this initiative is to establish a for profit organization to access the $2.2 million in readily available historical tax credits which were awarded to the city during the prior administration. Once renovations are complete, the Mohawk can be sold to a for-profit organization of the city's choosing. Included in this sale would be stipulations that the Mohawk must be used for performances, shows, or movies, similar to the Colonial Theater in Pittsfield, which has revitalized that section of South Street. Also, selling the Mohawk to a for-profit organization would place the city in a position to continue to receive property taxes from a sought after location on our Main Street. Under the mayor's plan, he would turn the Mohawk over to the MCLA, which would make the property tax exempt and each year the city would lose a large amount of potential property taxes."
"Please remember, election day is Tuesday, Nov. 8. At this crucial point in time for our city, it is very important that all residents take the time to make their voices heard and vote."
The campaign to elect Ron Boucher Mayor of North Adams would like to extend an invitation to the public for Boucher's second Spaghetti Supper Fundraiser at the American Legion on Nov. 2, and also to stop by his new campaign headquarters at 107 Main St.
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There is not a for-profit company in the country that would buy the Mohawk and expect to make a profit as an arts center. There are three similar venues within 5 miles and even more if you count south county. The region cannot and will not support another theater if it expects to make money solely off of performances.
The historical grants are for the city, not for a for-profit company, so it would still cost the city millions of dollars that will never be recouped to do any renovation.
Also, the Colonial is a non-profit that is barely staying above water.
The total lack of knowledge shown by Ron and his supporters on this particular issue is appalling.
If the city retains ownership and leases the space to MCLA, there will "foot traffic" on Main St. every school and performance day. If the space goes performance only, there will be 350 dark nights a year before it goes bankrupt.
Why anyone would want the college to run this is beyond me. How do we make up the property tax shortfall? And dont talk to me about foot traffic......college kids would yes increase the traffic right jacks (which is great for jacks, which is the best around) but not great for main street
If the city leases the theater to MCLA, IT WILL MAKE MORE MONEY THAN IT WOULD ON TAXES! Duh.
And no "for profit" would touch it. It doesn't have wings, flyspace, dressing rooms, etc... You can't do anything with it other than small music shows, speeches and film. It will take Millions of investment beyond the current plans to make it worth anything. Let MCLA pick up that tab.
Ron's model of the Colonial Theater is a NON-Profit and it loses money. Also, there are 4 other similarly sized venues within 10 minutes of the Mohawk. It is just a really bad idea.
that is the problem with you tax and spenders, you want the government to own everything. Sell it to someone who wants to MAKE money for themeselves and they will get top line performers, and people will show up.
Fromhere would rather trust government entities then the invisible hand of the free market. Typical tax and spend. He and dick simply do not reflact the opinion of the majority of north adams voters
It's not a matter of being for or against government involvement. It's a matter of doing something versus dreaming. While a successful for-profit business would be optimal, it isn't realistic. The City and MCLA have a plan of action. A for-profit venture is a pipe dream. You might as well say you plan to kick out all of those artists from Marshall Street and bring back the factory jobs.
Glad to hear you admit that is the preferred way to go....we can and will make it happen. Dick is copping out and taking the easy way out....kinda like raising taxes....speaks to leadership, not making the tough choices.
"to a for-profit organization of the city's choosing". Yeah. Those for-profit organizations are lining up to start a bidding war on this one.
The Mohawk could never make money as a commercial venue, period. Ticket prices would have to be extremely high - well beyond the means of most local residents. How does that serve the community?
We've got no shortage of arts industry experts in this area. Think Ron's consulted any of them?
This idea is a complete delusional fantasy. If this is indicative of his "back to Basics" thinking, he should go back to school.
The cities of Pittsfield and North Adams will hold municipal elections for mayor, city council and school committee in 2015
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