Thursday, October 18, 2012
Council accepted the recommendation from the 311 W. Main Task Force to move toward a single phase of construction, as long as specific criteria are met
Renovation of the eyesore at 311 W. Main St. in Lansdale is a go. After 90 minutes of presentations and civil discussions, Lansdale Borough Council Wednesday night voted 6-3 toapprove the recommendation from the 311 W. Main Task Force to pursue the framework for the vision of renovating the former arts center in one complete, full phase into a mixed-use arts and cultural center. However, along the way, council must seek the guidance of an architect and arts consultant to fulfill other specific requirements of the recommendation, such as: Borough Manager Timi Kirchner revealed Wednesday that the borough will have a dedicated county grant writer aiding in its process. The vote last night did not commit Lansdale Borough to spending any money …
Friday, September 7, 2012
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 …
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
The grant would help with funding of equipment and officer overtime in the Montgomery Township Regional DUI Enforcement Team
Montgomery Township Supervisors last week approved the submission of a DUI grant application for $59,992, which will boost funding for equipment and aid officers who are a part of the Montgomery Township Regional DUI Task Force. Montgomery Township Acting Chief Scott Bendig said the grant is a continuation of DUI grants from previous years. “This grant includes funding for equipment and overtime for officers to conduct DUI enforcement activities, including DUI checkpoints and DUI roving patrols,” Bendig told the board. Supervisors Chairman Candyce Chimera asked how likely the department is to get the grant. “We’ve done very well,” Bendig said. “This grant is actually going to be $6 less than we had last year. It looks pretty good in …
Saturday, August 11, 2012
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 …
Friday, July 13, 2012
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 …
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
The position would encompass more than just planning events for the borough
At the town hall session in Lansdale this month, resident Linda Breithaupt asked about the progress of the events coordinator position in the borough. Councilwoman Mary Fuller, who runs the town hall session with Lansdale Business Association president Doug DiPasquale, said the borough is at the state where they put together the job description. Fuller described the position as "a downtown business improvement district" official. "They would also be the executive director of Discover Lansdale," Fuller said. "It encompasses more than just events." The individual hired for the job would start new events and monitor current ones. He or she would also be heavily involved in downtown economic development, including establishing business …
Thursday, May 10, 2012
AMS Planning and Research said it is not contracted to recommend to the 311 W. Main Task Force how and where to raise funds to cover the cost of renovations
Show me the money. Not yet. The 311 W. Main Task Force found out Tuesday night that arts consultant AMS Planning and Research is not contracted to recommend how and where the borough can raise funds to cover the cost of renovations for the potential arts center in Lansdale. Following a lengthy presentation on the results of AMS Planning and Research's interviews with community leaders and a market analysis, task force member Bob Willi asked why nothing was in the presentation about raising money. "The code violaitons we have in the building right now and the money we need to get it up and started, I didn't see anything in this report about that," Willi said. Lynette Turner, of AMS Planning and Research, said the presentation feedback …
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Got 10 minutes? AMS Planning and Research asks potential users of the 311 W. Main arts center to take a brief anonymous survey to find out their wants and needs - and you can win prizes too
It was revealed Wednesday night at the 311 W. Main Task Force meeting that the primary market for successful potential users of the future Lansdale arts and entertainment center is within a 15-minute commute from the borough's downtown. That's the radius where AMS Planning and Research Corp., the Connecticut firm hired by the task force as its consultant, will focus its market analysis for the renovation and programming of the former Masonic temple on Lansdale's Main Street into a community arts and entertainment mecca. But the firm cannot rely on that analysis alone -- an analysis that relies heavily on The Nielsen Company's PRIZM model, a geo-demographic market segmentation for the suburban Lansdale area. (Nielsen is the same company …
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Residents, business owners and government heads discuss, in small groups, their visions and outcomes of a renovated arts center
A gathering of some 50 diverse citizens, residents, business owners, borough employees and elected politicians resulted in shared wants for the future of 311 W. Main Street. They want a movie theater, showing indie and classic films. They want dance recitals and theater performances. They want a self-sustaining asset, with programming seven days a week, all day, for all ages. They want touring musicians and an intimate standing-room-only concert stage. They want people to stop, park, shop and come back. They want Ambler and Doylestown to come there for entertainment. Heck, they want a parking problem. Lynette Turner, of AMS Planning and Research, led a group activity Tuesday night during the 311 W. Main Task Force meeting. In small …
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
AMS Planning will conduct a survey and interviews with potential users over the next five months
The direction and future of 311 W. Main Street will be revealed by the end of August. By that time, the 311 W. Main Task Force will have a final report and recommendation from AMS Planning on how to move forward with the programming, management, funding and other options for 311 W. Main Street in Lansdale. The consultant's first task was to get public input from those who care about the future of the building. It did just that at the Tuesday night task force meeting at the parks and recreation building. While a light turnout - about one-three-hundredth of the entire population of the borough attended - it didn't detract from the purpose of the meeting. Lynette Turner, of AMS Planning, said the public input was the first step in the …
EKane
10:38 am on Thursday, January 31, 2013
The AMS survey was skewed. When organizations were asked if they would be interested in using the site. There was a vague mention of cost for use. Some of the questions that were asked needed to be addressed to a board of directors for the organization. The representative cold not answer all of the questions and those that were answered with inquires of more information were construed to me lack … more ›