By Jean Ruzicka
jruzicka@parkrapidsenterprise.com
Moving forward with the Upper Mississippi Center for the Arts (aka Armory Square) was on the Park Rapids Economic Development Authority agenda this week, Ryan Heinritz, executive director of Faribault’s Paradise Center for the Arts, encouraging the city to “imagine the possibilities.”
“It’s a gem,” he told the council, department heads and audience members. “It has a lot of potential, the spaces offer great opportunity. The biggest thing, in order to start, is raising capital,” he advised.
“But you need to have something to raise the money for,” Heinritz said of the public’s perception of the building’s future.
In May, the Economic Development Authority was awarded $2.5 million in state bonding funds to develop the former armory into a regional arts, education, cultural and events center.
But in order to receive the funds, the armory must be publicly owned. The Park Rapids Council is now analyzing the merits of the city operating the building as an arts and events center.
Heinritz reviewed the financial hurdles he encountered (a $775,000 debt) when taking the job in Faribault in 2010, “spending the first year asking for money.”
“Everyone thought the Paradise Center was a sinking ship,” he said of the refurbished movie theater from the 1930s, located in the city’s historic downtown.
“I had to fundraise” he said of the debt. “We’re playing catch up. But you can start from scratch,” he reminded the council.
“I am a firm believer an arts center brings people to town,” he said.
“You will need support of donors, and the city may have to borrow,” Heinritz said, sharing his “payback in 45 days” rule of thumb.
Heinritz encouraged hiring someone for operations and programming, and a second person for marketing and development. But he urged fundraising before hiring to be sustainable.
He cited the area’s broad range of arts organizations, suggesting the site be considered for a theater series, concert series and – “something new” – a family series. Tribute shows – Elvis, the Beatles, for example – have been hits. “And this is a very big summer tourist town.”
He advocated partnership with the Downtown Business Association, who has shown strong support, and working with 2nd Street Stage.
The Park Rapids Lakes Area Arts Council has voiced “collective support” for the initiative.
Park Rapids, he pointed out, has more retail establishments than Faribault, which has a 17,000-plus population.
“The spinoff? People staying open longer, adding staff,” he said downtown businesses. “If you don’t have something going on you’ll be losing money. You have to find ways to generate it.”
Heinritz suggested a goal of an inaugural season in the fall of 2016.
Meanwhile, a number of bureaucratic procedures lie ahead.
Mike Monsrud, chair of the Park Rapids Community Development Corporation, advocated “raising revenue and start programming.
“We must move forward with the notion this program is going,” he said.
In other action, the council:
n Approved a resolution awarding a bid of $2,464,342 from C&L Excavating for improvements on Riverside area, phase one; North Main and Mill Road.
The engineer’s estimate was $3.3 million.
Jon Olson of Apex Engineering Group said the project had “a lot of interest,” with seven bids received.
Construction is expected to start in early May, when the frost allows, with a completion date of early October.
n Introduced the new city planner, Ryan Mathisrud. “I have great first impressions. A lot of people want to bend my ear,” he said, grinning. “I’m very excited to be here. There are a lot of exciting projects to move forward with.”
n Reported a bike day is planned Saturday, May 16 for the Red Bridge Park dedication.
n Heard from Dick
Rutherford, who has heard the state highway department is considering construction of a round-about at the South Highway 71 and Industrial Road intersection.
He expressed opposition, citing the one by Detroit Lakes that’s difficult for semis to circumnavigate.
Assistant county engineer Jed Nordin said the project is in the discussion phase but no formal plans are in the works.
