That being said, AAAC is going to move somewhere–I am assuming the move is being driven by a need for more space. Sad to see them move off the Main Street business district–their flags are a key visual clue to the prominence of arts and cultural life here in A2. I have no doubt their current building is worth enough to fund the renovation of the 415 W. Washington structure or the construction of a completely new building on that site. Knowing nothing about the proposal, I would want more information–Is this really a swap? The City of Ann Arbor is going to buy the property? As a holding property, or with a proposed civic use? Is there any way to tie the swap to a subsidized rate for small individual artist studios?

I work with local musicians at AnnArborAlive.com, primarily promoting local music through our internet radio broadcasts and live performances. I also have close ties to several painter organizations.

It is undeniable that artist have fled from Ann Arbor as they’ve been unable to find affordable studio space.

At the same time the internet is nurturing unique opportunities for artist to present their art, build their audience and collaborate with other artists. In addition to studio space an Ann Arbor artist facility could serve as a focal point to leverage the new internet advantages.

If Ann Arbor recognizes that we are pricing artist out of the city and is motivated to correct that loss and actively support the artist community, there is no reason that Ann Arbor couldn’t become as much a center for musical talent as Austin Texas.

There are already organizations that are ready to participate at a higher level.

The first is simply use the site “as is” with little renovation or renovation by tenant. This approach may be possible for some parts of the Washington site. I would support it as a temporary solution to prevent the sale of the property, but I do not think it is a practical for the long term. There are simply too many visual, flood plain and potential building code problems.

The second, which I prefer, is a garden or open space that would include art shows, exterior art exhibits, outdoor performing arts, etc. In general I do not like the idea of the city supporting artist studio space. the amount of space will be limited and there are too many issues of what type or class of art or artist, and what specific artists are going to receive the benefits that the rest of us will subsidize. I am much more supportive of public display space or performance areas with wide access.

The North Main maintenance building seems much more practical for performing arts or video studio space than the Washington building.

1.The Art association has studio space available for rent now. It is priced below market value but we have difficulty renting the space.

2.If the Art Association develops the Washington Street site we will have a location for corporation events.

The Art Association rents studio space at about $12/sqft. This is below the market rate for office or retail space in Ann Arbor. The technology Center rented for about half this rate. Some of the studios were very nice, some were not so nice. The Martin School Project in Toledo rents studio space for $5 to $6/sqft.

I do not believe it is possible to renovate the existing building and rent it for $12/sqft and recover the renovation cost. New construction would be much more. The rent most artists can afford is simply too low to support renovation or new construction. The Art Association recognizes this and does not intend to use the site for studio space.

I do not think selling the Washington site to the Art Association will benefit the artists of Ann Arbor

415 W Washington won’t necessarily be cheap space for artists. In fact, AA Art Assoc director Marsha Chamberlin talked about renting space for corporate events as a way to cover the Art Assoc budget at one of the Calthorpe workshop meetings.

In my opinion, pushing to keep W Washington in city hands and have it converted into an arts facility similar to the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria Va is a better bet to get space for artists than sale to the Art Association.

For a good look at the future for the arts in A2 under alliances such as this one, have a look at the history of the Neutral Zone–a once dynamic kid-centered/run organization that now is reduced to offering safe haven for SAT prep. NZ no longer accomplishes its “kid-centered” goals by selling art and hosting poetry slams, but by “roastings” and golf outings.

If we want 415 for a “real” arts and community performance/events center–that is really run by artists–we’re going to have to real quick come up with some alternatives and a gang of artists to show support. I thinking a public/private (non-profit) partnership. The private part should comprise primarily artists. There would need to be an administrator, but that person should serve at the will of the artists and the artists/tenants/members should have veto power over any board appointments (boards can very easily hijack arts organizations).

I have to admit that for this site, I’m wearing two hats. I support the greenway and I want to make sure that all the artists don’t have to move to Ypsilanti. What i had envisioned for the space was bare minimum of fix-up for the building (not cheap) that would primarily accomodate studios for mucisians and artists. On the ground floor, since there will always be flooding threats, we could leave that space open for performances and art shows or other community events.

The greenway part of the property would host a sculpture garden. Because artists would be there 24/7, the greenway/sculpture garden would always be peopled. The 24/7 bit is very important here–no corporate mommy or daddy hanging around making sure that none of the tenants make a mess or act “inappropriately”.

The other thing to think about here is the imnportance and nature of public and civic space. The “agora” in American life has been shrinking even faster than than the artic ice caps. Democracy depends on the chance encounters of citizens with each other in public spaces where we have no choice but to tolerate t-shirts and hair styles not of our liking; and where our own opinions benefit from bumping up against the opinions of others.

Our city is now contemplating the sale of both 415 W. washington and 721 N. main (I’ve got ideas for community use of that space as well). This does not bode well for the future of community space in Ann Arbor. Remember once these public properties are gone from the public use, they’re gone for good.

Courage! Lou Glorie

Nonetheless, as great as its grittiness was, at the time of its demise it had become dangerous to store intruments, let alone its danger as a firetrap. There is a line between gritty and dangerous, and the tech center, victim of non-benign neglect, had reached that point.

The type of neglect it received was the nature of the beast. The owner presented low rents in exchange for zero maintenance.

But 415 could present a great opportunity and a great challenge. If this were Europe, the model for government-support of the arts, and artists’ facilities would already be there. If the attempt is to be an “artistic incubator” there must be cheap rent and no restriction of artistic content.

It was the genius of the “Tech Center” that artists simply found the space and used it. The landlord did not care who moved in. As a result there was no judgement of artistic expression.

The Ann Arbor Art Center seems to focus more on commercially viable and established artists (at least relative to the many of the artists that the Tech Center housed). I think this proposal would make great use of the space, but I wouldn’t be under the illusion that somehow this would recreate the function of the old Tech Center.

Keith Orr