Lansdale Settles Performing Arts Lawsuit for $12,000

Lansdale Borough will pay former Lansdale arts center business manager Anne Yannarella $12,000 of the $18,000 due to her in back wages. The $12,000 covers the council president and borough manager, who were defendants in the suit.

The old Lansdale Center for the Performing Arts, known colloquially as 311 W. Main, continues to cost Lansdale Borough money—$12,000 to be exact. In January 2013, former Lansdale Center for the Performing Arts business manager Anne Yannarella sued the North Penn Regional Council of the Arts, doing business as Lansdale Center for the Performing Arts, and four of its board members, in order to collect $16,750 in lost regular and overtime wages from 2010, according to civil court records. Two of those four members being sued were Lansdale Council President Matt West and Lansdale Borough Manager Timi Kirchner. The other two were Montgomery County Republican Committee Chairman Robert Kerns and Dale Murphy. All four were being sued because each…

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Letter to the Editor

Mayor: 311 W. Main Focus Should Be Arts, Not Building

Lansdale Mayor Andy Szekely disagrees with 311 W. Main recommendation in a letter to the editor

Dear Lansdale Resident: As Wednesday’s Council meeting approaches, there is a motion on the agenda to recommend the acceptance of the 311 Task Force’s recommendation to move forward with a single phase renovation of the building. While I support the arts and I am in favor of some sort of venue for the arts in Lansdale, I am writing this letter stating my disagreement with the single phase proposal put forth by the 311 Task Force for the following reasons: There is a desire to further rehabilitate 311 West Main Street into an arts center, which is admirable, but I firmly believe—as do the most experienced members of the Task Force INCLUDING THE CONSULTANT — that a PHASED, CONSERVATIVE, ORGANIC, GRASSROOTS approach to rehabilitating 311 West…

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Denton Burnell

10:13 am on Friday, October 19, 2012

Thanks Drew -- I did feel as the night wore on that we were tilting at windmills a bit, since my sentiments above are exactly what we've tried to convey. I recognize that there is a difference of opinion on whether we should plan based on a partial vs. complete renovation, but the assurances above remain intact from my perspective.   more ›

Councilmembers, Residents Mixed on 311 W. Main Recommendation

Residents and councilmembers debated with the 311 W. Main Task Force last week on their recommendation of a full renovation of the former arts center. Their biggest gripe: What's it going to cost to operate the center?

The 311 W. Main Task Force voted 8-1-2 last Tuesday to recommend a full renovation of the former Masonic Temple into an arts and cultural center. In its recommendation, the task force defended its vote with two reasons: it will show to investors that Lansdale is willing to make a commitment toward its future and the economic development of the town, and it will avoid repeating the mistakes of the past, where phased development and mismanagement caused the initial detriment of the building. However, certain councilpeople, dignitaries and residents offered their insights into the vote, as well as support or objection of the task force's recommendation. One outspoken audience member Tuesday night was Lansdale Borough Council Vice President …

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Task Force Votes 8-1-2 to Recommend Full Renovation of Arts Center

Lansdale 311 W. Main Task Force member Lindsay Schweriner — the dissenting vote — said phasing the project is the best way to gain the public's trust and support

Eleven members of the 311 W. Main Task Force have worked since Nov. 1, 2011 to figure out the best recommendation to revive the former performing arts center in downtown Lansdale. For nearly a year, the task force has heard input from residents young and old, reviewed budget figures and renderings from Spiezle Architects, hired arts consultant AMS Planning and Research to guide the task force toward a recommendation, and debated to phase or not to phase the project. In the end, 11 members  — including the borough manager and three Lansdale councilmembers — couldn't come to a full consensus over a recommendation on how council should proceed with the future of 311 W. Main St.  In the end, majority rules — and the task force voted Tuesday …

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Early Task Force Opinions Go Against Recommendation of Consultant

The 311 W. Main St. Task Force discussed their opinions on phasing or not phasing the future renovations of the former arts center in the heart of the downtown. Hired arts consultant AMS Planning recommends phasing the project in its draft business plan

A majority of the 11-member 311 W. Main Task Force expressed opinions at its last meeting to not phase the renovation of the former arts center and rather rehabilitate the entire building at once. Those opinions, however, go against the draft business plan recommendation of the consultant on the project, AMS Planning & Research, a Connecticut firm hired at around $48,000 to guide the task force toward advising council on what to do with the building. The opinions also go against that of architect firm Spiezle Group, which has been brought on as the architectural consultant on the project. "Just because the opinions — and I stress opinions — of the task force members disagree with certain aspects of the AMS Group's recommendations does not …

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Recommendation on Arts Center Purpose Coming in October

The 311 W. Main Task Force is nearing the end of its purpose - to recommend a purpose for the former arts center to Lansdale Borough Council. The committee will make a full recommendation that fulfills the requirements laid out in its ordinance

All good things must come to an end. As 311 W. Main Task Force Chairman allegorically put it Thursday night, the task force is now at Fourth and Goal at the one yard line, with the game on the line. Next month, the 311 W. Main Task Force's purpose and efforts will come to a close as it is poised to recommend to borough council an elaborate and in-depth direction for the former performing arts center in the heart of Lansdale. That direction, based on opinions of members, is to renovate the building all at once and develop it into a film and performing arts center. Chairman Mike Sobel had asked each task force member to summarize their opinions on what should be recommended, based on draft findings in the business plan from consultant AMS …

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Lansdale Festival of the Arts Winners

About 80 crafters and artists competed for more than $1,800 in cash awards in a variety of categories on Saturday, August 25

The 24th Lansdale Festival of the Arts beautified Memorial Park on August 25, during the Founders Day event. More than 80 exhibitors from as far as Delaware and as close as Lansdale showed off their masterpieces. The juried show had artists and crafters competing for more than $1,800 in sponsored cash prizes. Want to submit work for jury consideration for the 2013 Festival of the Arts? Contact the Lansdale Parks and Recreation Department at 215-361-8352 or visit www.lansdale.org. Here are the winners from the 24th annual event: BEST OF SHOW George Balock, Lansdale ($350, underwritten by Wisler Pearlstine LLP, Blue Bell)   OIL, ACRYLIC, MIXED MEDIA 1st: Steve Oliver, New Castle, DE ($150, National Penn Bank, Lansdale) 2nd: Claudia McGill, …

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Theatre, Film Recommended for 311 W. Main Street

AMS Planning and Research gave early recommendations to the 311 W. Main Task Force in Lansdale Thursday night on what could be developed at the former arts center

The 311 W. Main St. former arts center needs between $3 million and $4 million to fix code issues, but whomever runs the facility will break even in the first five years. AMS Planning and Research gave early recommendations to the 311 W. Main Task Force Thursday night for the future of the former arts center. Recommendations were culled from surveys, community interviews and market research. According to a report in The Reporter, the bottom line is the borough needs to front a lot of money to fix the center, but a revitalized arts center could be a success in Lansdale. According to the article, the task force now needs to mull over the recommendations and continue discussions on what to do with the building before bringing a solution to …

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Task Force Must Identify Leader for 311 W. Main

AMS Planning and Research revealed Thursday night there isn't much interest from local organizations for the center, but there is a demand for film, music and visual arts in Lansdale

So, who wants to run 311 W. Main Street in Lansdale? AMS Planning and Research revealed Thursday night to the 311 W. Main Task Force and five residents in attendance there is no major interest from local organizations to use the 311 W. Main Street location, but there is a demand that needs to be met in a non-competitive market. That demand is mainly film, music and visual arts. "Theere is general community support for the concept," said AMS Planning and Research Principal Michele Walter. "There is definitely an endless supply and demand for the facility. User product demand is limited. There's not a huge list of people that said they are interested." The venture won't be successful, however, without leadership and partnership. The number …

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Five Things to Know Today: July 12

Lansdale Borough's 311 W. Main Task Force meets at 7 p.m. at Lansdale Borough Hall. Montgomery Township Police Chief Richard Brady will arrive for his final shift today at 8:30 a.m.

1. Montgomery Township Police Chief Richard Brady will arrive for his final shift today at 8:30 a.m. at the station in Montgomeryville. After 42 years, Brady is retiring from the police department. 2. Lansdale Borough's 311 W. Main Task Force meets at 7 p.m. at Lansdale Borough Hall. This meeting was rescheduled from the Fourth of July holiday. 3. Adrian Legg, the premier eclectic guitarist, performs at 8 p.m. at Sellersville Theater. Tickets are $22 and $30. 4. Infant Story Time at 10:30 a.m. at Lansdale Library today, followed by Miss Lisa's Family Story Time at 11:30 a.m. 5. It's speed networking at the PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce today from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the chamber offices on Susquehanna Avenue at Derstine Avenue in …

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