There was a packed house of more than 40 people for the May 18 Chelsea City Council meeting and many of those in attendance were there in support of the Purple Rose Theatre, which plans to expand its footprint downtown by adding a two-story building.
The expansion would attach to the theater company’s current building on Park Street, and the drawings from architect Hobbs+Black Associates showed a grade-level addition of 4,216 square feet and a lower level space of 3,960 square feet. The addition would enlarge the lobby space, add more bathrooms, include a rehearsal space and a scene shop and add storage and more office space.
However, the theater company needs a portion of city-owned land for the new building, a 2-level, about 8,200 square foot addition. And, because of a tight deadline of June 1 for a grant application, theater representatives needed a quick answer from the City Council regarding the land.
This caused concerns for many of the City Council members.
After a lengthy discussion, the City Council voted 4-3 to “allow PRT to submit a grant request that includes using a portion of city property” and by another 4-3 vote, elected officials approved a second request that would “begin lease discussions with PRT for the purpose of expanding the theater.”
Before the vote, Council Member Jane Pacheco said she had a number of concerns about the proposal. Among them were the drawings were dated December, 2014 and this was the first time the City Council was hearing about and discussing this project.
“I’m uncomfortable with circumventing process and procedure,” Pacheco said.
Council Member Melissa Johnson, agreed, saying that not only was she concerned about the timing of the request but also that the City Council was not following the process that’s in place for a transfer of property.
In addition, she said, “The pending parks plan id’s this (piece of property) as a pocket park,” asking if the city can sell public land without a public hearing.
Council Member Rod Anderson agreed with Pacheco and Johnson about the need for the city to follow a process for selling or leasing land it owns. “I’d love to give it away for $1, but other people in town might not agree,” he said, adding … “I’d be willing to keep this organization here and bite the bullet, but we aren’t following the process.”
Council Member Frank Hammer suggested that the city lease the land to Purple Rose for 99 years for $1. “There is a public value in this with the green space still remaining,” he said, adding that the City Council had the ability to make this agreement.
The City Council was given a letter by City Attorney Peter Flintoft that identified unspecified circumstances that appeared to preclude the city from selling the property to Purple Rose, but during the ensuing discussion City Council members indicated that the city could lease the property.
“We need to do due diligence,” said Council Member Cheri Albertson. “You should have been here sooner; you really should have,” she said to representatives of Purple Rose.
Council Member Jim Myles said he was concerned about agreeing to this request without following procedure. “Our hands are tied about a sale,” he said, referring to the letter from the city attorney … but we could dedicate a lease option on the property.”
He, too, expressed his concern about getting the request with so little time to make a decision on it.
City Manager John Hanifan clarified the request, saying, “They are looking for conceptual approval and to begin lease discussions…not asking the City Council to go around ordinances.”
Council Members Pacheco, Johnson and Anderson voted against the two requests. Council Members Albertson, Hammer and Myles and Mayor Jason Lindauer voted in favor of both motions.
According to Steve Hamp, a chairman of the Purple Rose Board of Directors, the theater entertained audiences with its first play in 1991 and in celebration of its 25th anniversary season, they plan to begin a 3-year fundraising campaign for the $1.5 million expansion project.
In addition, there have been about 100 productions in the theater’s history and audiences have contributed about $3.6 million to the local economy by dining, shopping and staying in Chelsea, Hamp said.
There is no doubt that the Purple Rose contributes both to the economy and vibrancy of Chelsea! By why, was this request made so late in the procedure? If this was considered in 2014, what was the purpose of waiting until now? I bet it blind-sided many council members…