Livermore — City officials unveiled ‘Creative Livermore’ on Monday, saying art contributes to Livermore’s livability and economic strength.
In its 2022 report, Creative Livermore – Planning for the Future of Arts and Culture, Livermore is a “local arts center with a thriving creative community and a range of cultural facilities,” while also attracting a youth, diverse and Engage your family in accessible, free arts activities. The survey also found that Livermore needs to find more funding to bring its vision to life, including creating more affordable production space for artists and their work.
“The key findings are very important and show that the public is interested, the idea that we will do more participatory activities,” said Deputy Mayor Gina Bonanno. said during a discussion of the report at Livermore’s Monday night council meeting. .
The discussion also raised concerns about the current state of Bothwell Arts Center and whether it could be viable in the future. We provide space for artists, musicians, theater, acting and choral groups.
Following public comments from residents after city councilors Robert Carling and Bonanno expressed concerns about its future, Mayor Bob Warner suggested the Livermore Regional Recreation and Parks District would likely tear it down. did.
Addressing concerns, Brandon Cardwell, Livermore’s director of innovation and economics, said he’d recently realized he had some questions about Bothwell’s future.
“As I understand it, it’s been put on a questionable list of indefinite availability for current use,” Cardwell said. One of the things we need to do is reach out to all our partners, including LARPD, to understand the current inventory of buildings available to the local arts community, and to what extent they are available. What is the delta between what we have and what we need, do we have a plan for that?”
Carling said Bothwell “was a problem for a while.”
“I think it has played an important role in the art community in the past, so I think it’s worth looking into. I think losing it would hurt that community,” Carling said.
The 55-page report offers no path as to how the city’s growing arts and cultural programs are funded, noting that there are “substantial concerns about arts funding and where it comes from.” I raised the point that there is
“The Chamber of Commerce is concerned that current arts development requirements may increase, arguing that the business community is already supporting Livermore’s arts through both existing arts funding and donations. ,” the report continued.
Art Builds Community (ABC) consultant Barbara Goldstein explained in an interview with The Independent after the council meeting that it’s too early to know where the funding will come from as the plans are still in the early stages. However, she said the staff will explore different options and confirm that it has been done in other cities. Resources will be identified later when the city works on its annual budget.
“What Creative Livermore has done is establish a framework and priorities. It is done in relation to our development goals,” continued Goldstein. .
The report follows a plan to develop the city’s arts and culture venues made in 2007, including the development of First Street and its surrounding areas as a dining, shopping, arts and entertainment destination. advertised. Placement of sculptures, murals, and art activities downtown. Opening of his 500-seat auditorium and outdoor plaza at the Bankhead Theater. Adoption of public art requirements for new structures and open areas.
“I like the focus on putting art where people go and bringing it, rather than expecting people to come everywhere. Libraries, schools, city halls, bank presidents, outdoor installations. And so on,” Bonanno said at the conference. “People coming across art unexpectedly is a wonderful, wonderful part of what this plan can offer people.”
In a presentation to the council, Brandon Cardwell, Livermore’s Director of Innovation and Economic Development, spoke about a year-long process of surveying residents, business owners and visitors about Livermore’s cultural ecosystem.
Findings will be used to shape how the city’s arts commission proceeds with plans and budgets for developing venues for the arts.
While the report does not identify specific projects or costs, it does set some goals, including partnering with external organizations to create and promote arts and cultural experiences for residents and visitors. increase. Promote diversity, equity and inclusion across arts and culture. Support participatory arts and cultural opportunities for families. Develop appropriate resources to align art investments with other community priorities. Create access to affordable spaces for artists and arts groups.
More than 30 interviews were conducted during the course of ABC’s research. Among the findings:
Downtown Livermore is a key asset and the community ‘living room’ where people come together. The arts, including events at the Bankhead Theater, murals, free concerts and the nearby Bothwell Arts Center, contribute to the dynamism.
Completion of the Quest Science Center and SPARC Theater will serve downtown.
Cities should engage more diverse community members in the arts as spectators, presenters, performers, volunteers and leaders.
Livermore has a wealth of arts resources and services, but we need more free activities and events for people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities. participation opportunities; diverse cultural expression; and financial stability of existing arts and culture non-profit organizations.
The study also found that nonprofits, community groups, and artists have difficulty finding affordable space for meetings, rehearsals, events, and storage. Reports indicate that those who support and participate in the arts are aging. We need to raise the interest of the younger generation.
“Attendants underscored the importance of understanding the Tri Valley region as an interdependent arts community and fostering collaboration and partnerships beyond a single city,” the report said.
Suggestions from the survey include: To host free, multi-venue, regional and multicultural music festivals that focus on a variety of local musicians and venues. Establish an art and wine festival. Increase opportunities to enjoy the visual arts, including sculpture gardens, art billboards, and outdoor galleries.
The biggest concern was how to finance the project. The study included proposals for community grant programs, but not funding proposals, Bonanno noted.
“I think we’re going to need more resources than we have now,” she said. “How much are we spending on public art? Where is the income coming from? And what needs to be more fully implemented? What is being proposed here? If you want to do what you say you want to do, you’ll have to find additional sources of funding.”
After the public and city councilors Bob Carling and Bonanno voiced their concerns about the future of the Bothwell Arts Center building, Mayor Bob Warner decided that the Livermore Area Recreation and Parks Distributor would be the winner for the project. proposed to partner with LARPD. LARPD owns the building and it will likely be demolished, he said.
“We need to partner here,” says Woerner. “We need to partner with LARPD and take it seriously.”
airport hangar
Meanwhile, in a separate presentation, Interim Airport Manager Sean Moran told the council that the city continues to develop a new wait list policy for hangars at Livermore Municipal Airport. The waiting list, which includes 127 companies, has a turnover rate of 10+ years. The new policy, which came under scrutiny last year when it was revealed that one company had more hangars than the law allows, is due to be submitted to the Airport Commission in early 2023. The policy will also include new lease fees, Moran said.
The city is also working on policies for new developments at the airport. A moratorium on the project is currently in effect.
drought
In separate news, the drought debate revealed Livermore Municipal Water customers had reduced their water usage by 12.4% from October 2021 to September 2022. California Water Service (CWS) customer usage decreased 15% over the summer. This shows that residents are serious about saving water.
Anthony Meyer of CWS said:
entertainment
Woerner asked the city’s attorney and police chief to investigate whether the city would pass legislation to make it a crime for spectators to watch illegal “sideshows.” During a sideshow, drivers take over intersections and streets and perform driving maneuvers called “doughnuts” that create circular skid marks on the pavement. Large crowds often gather.
Manipulation is illegal. Woerner noted that San Jose criminalizes bystander watching.
Woerner pointed out the need after doing sideshows on First and L streets about a month ago.
“I think the sideshow problem is getting bigger,” says Woerner. “I think it’s time to tighten up the sideshow ordinance.”
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