Utah Performing Arts - Place and Methods - Research Paper Example

Utah Performing Arts Introduction The Salt Lake is a regional city that serves almost three million people. It has many functions that include cultural, commercial, financial, transportation, economic, religious and it is the heart of the government of Utah. The city has several projects that it controls. The projects include venues, which are located at different places. For instance, the city centre has the following destinations; an international airport, Salt Convention centre and seven state federal courts. The management of the region proposed to build a modern recreational centre that will cost the taxpayers to pay more while they expect that the project will have the best services in the region (Jessop & Bitner 2010). Utah Performing Arts is the name that brings mixed reactions from different stakeholders. Some of them support the program while at the same moment others do oppose the proposal to build such a centre in the heart of a busy city. This paper intends to look at the controversy that may provide a solid foundation on whether to proceed with the program to build the centre for performing or take another option. In getting the reality, the paper will contain several interviews that were carried out to using different methods and places. Location of the Proposed Cite Utah Performing Art centre is the name that will be for the greatest theater house in the city centre. The proposed site for this building is one of the most important areas of the Salt Lake City. It will be between south 100 street and 200 South Street (Behle & Latimer 2008). The trax transporters and the public transporters pass through this area. This indicates that the area is well located for the proposed project. In addition to this, the region serves all the Utah residents proudly. It is most likely that these area will be attracting most people in the area since it is located at the heart of the city and more so, at a very strategic place. People of all walks can access this place easily at any time of the day. The entertainment room expects to attract families, students together with all entertainment consumers who live in all the twenty-nine counties including the Intermountain region. The diagram below indicates the Salt Lake City region with its road network. Interviews To set the ball rolling I decided to visit different stakeholders to find out their views on the newly proposed project. Mrs. Jenifer is one of major stakeholders in running the city affairs. The she gave to me very important information concerning the project. Our interview with Mrs. Jennifer took place at the City and County building in room 326 on December fifth at five up to thirty minutes after six in the evening (Jessop & Bitner 2010). Madam Bruno Jennifer is the deputy director of the Salt Lake City Corporation that controls all the activities of the city council of salt Lake so I believed that she could have very vital information concerning the project. When I asked her about the project, she was very excited that the intention of the management was now getting to the right track. The management wanted the citizens to get informed on the project and this was one of the ways that people could access information. She mentioned that the projects name was Utah performing Arts Centre so the name of the building. According to her, it will be the largest theater in the area. Utah Performing Art centre would be located at between south 100street and south 200street, where the TRAX trans and the public transport pass through. She mentioned the controversy existing between other performing centers and the City Hall with the Capital Theatre. The controversy between them is about building UPAC or not. Other performing arts like the University of Utah and small theaters are afraid that UPAC will take their audiences instead of supporting performing activities in Utah. On the other hand, Salt Corporation had another point of view that the new center would support performing art in Utah since there is there is no such great theater (Behle & Latimer 2008). She pointed out that the UPAC would accommodate large-scale performing arts together with touring Broadway Productions. The existing art venues in the Utah area have one big challenge, which is the size. It limits the ability of these performing venues to offer varied performing services. This is contrary to the Salt Lake City because the management has identified a spacious place to locate this enterprise. More so, it is located at strategic point where most people can access it easily. There is a dance flow around UPAC place. This enterprise intent to invite people to walk in the area as they enjoy themselves, this will in turn benefit the hotels and restaurants around since people will have to eat and sleep in areas that are near the UPAC. In this context, the business around the project will have to enjoy from the increased profit margin. This is because many people will tour the premises before and after the shows. Since there will be an larger number of persons in that place, it will give an opportunity to people in the area to construct more houses to provide housing services for the visitors (Jessop & Bitner 2010). Generally, this project will increase business activities in the city. All companies that provide transport services around UPAC will greatly benefit from the project since there will be more demand for transport services to and from the enterprise. There is a plan to erect an office tower behind the UPAC. This is another great opportunity for the people around since there will be more job opportunities in the area. First, the UPAC will offer employment opportunities for people around. Secondly, the UPAC is directly linked to the tower in many ways so there will be more employment chances through direct or indirect means. The Deputy Director Mrs. Jennifer identified that the sunlight reaches the premises at through the rare side of the attached tower. According to her, this will cause stressful moments for the businesses that are located under the tower’s shadow ( Behle & Latimer 2008). She feels that it is more stressful to work in an area that does not receive light. Madam Jennifer mentioned that mostly the sun’s light will be reflected on the road in most of the year and then cover the bottom most parts on the opposite side of the tower shortly in a year. It is also her feeling that the light will be on the main street, which is a very wide area. The second interview involved Professor Robert Farrington, the director of Salt Lake City Corporation and associate of professor at the University of Utah. He pointed out that the construction of UPAC center would cost around one hundred and ten million dollars. He feels this is quite expensive but he urges the managing corporation to go ahead and build it. This is because he feels that it will improve the real estate of the area. Concerning the financial status of the corporation, he felt that the corporation could get back the money used to construct and furnish the theater in a period of twenty-five years. It is from his opinion that the corporation’s architectures must design Utah performing art center in an architectural masterpiece context. He believes that the UPAC has that ability to hold an audience of about one thousand five hundred and two thousand people at once. The illustration below indicates the proposed storey building for UPAC. Interviews as revealed by an article According to the article “The Salt Lake Tribune” by Ben Fulton, some of the prominent play writers do not support the project. The article was published 14th September 2001 and then updated later on the same day. The article identifies the proposal as a courtesy image. Thus, it means that it is unrealistic to have such a building at the centre of the town. The co-founder and the president of West Valley City’s Hale Centre Theatre on the contrary support the project despite the fact that he is one of the key stakeholders of this industry in the area. This is because he understands the benefits he will gain from this construction (Behle & Latimer 2008). He calls it “a Broadway-style” at the heart of the town. He also understands that it is a costly activity, which will cost one hundred million Dollars. The advantage is that it can contain a large of audience at ones and give chance to various activities to take place, which the other minute theatres cannot afford. Therefore, according to him he is of the opinion that the corporation should continue to put up the premises (Esplin & Weight Provo 2008). When a group of famous Utah play writers got information by Mayor Ralph on the proposed site, they did not support the move. A statement that was sent to mayor’s senior advisor referred to the plan as “an echoing and unrealistic plane-terminal of a building.” This is because the group does not understand the benefits of the project. This group believes that Utah will depend on small micro organizations to realize its best despite the fact that they are neglecting them. The group also believes that the project will only run very few Broadway shows in the area (Jessop & Bitner 2010). The group has fifteen play writs at Utah. Kathleen Cahill said that she never knew anybody among the play writers who was called for interview on the said project. Cahill is one of the best play writes in the city and she has won herself and an award in the same category, The Persian Quarter. She complains of not being involved in the procedure of planning the work and she is one of the citizens who, stay in the city. She felt that she should have been told to attend some of the meetings to give out her views. She feels that the right position is to come up with more venues in the city to add on those which are available at down town. Rose Wegner performing Arts center is located on 300 south. It has several smaller theaters that host works through Pigmalian Co plan-B Theater and others. According to Cahill, these companies provide enough facilities that are enough for the current and upcoming playwrights. She feels that the current theaters are enough and there is no need to make another theater. In the local chapter, dramatists Guild of America, there are playwrights like David Kranes, Julie Jensen who is a longtime playwright who did an entertaining job on “she was my Brother,” professor and Emeritus Jensen. They want the managers to wake up and realize that there is something happening in the local theater and they should consider what might happen in future. Mark Dietlein the president and co-founder of West Valley City Hale Centre gave another version through writing a letter to Helen Langan and Becker in their support of UPAC. The letter only gave his personal view of the new project and he had not discussed the matter with the heads of the theater. He said that the growth of the new UPAC Theater will make people of Utah proud and they will receive it warmly. He believes that the theater will be of great value to the people. Dietlein in his September 2 letter says that a good theater should be praised and people should welcome the high quality theater in the city. Longan replied by saying that she accepts all the perspectives regarding to the possibility of constructing UPAC that would cost $100million .in reaction to this , the county officials cautioned against using the tax payers resources to pay for the venue (Jessop & Bitner 2010). According to the city officials, they are organizing to use funds from the payment of the bonds from EnergySolusions Arena is made in 2015. Langan promised that the management office was planning to hold a meeting with all playwrights who are against the project. This will give them chance to give their views and see if they have any new suggestions on the planning and designing before it is build. She said that the office was out to understand playwright’s suggestions and be listed on the list of important items. She accepts the fact that they may differ with the playwrights but they can resolve it through conversation. Consultants with Mr. Becker in the city office Consultants from durham, Denver, Dayton, N.C, and ohio, visited the Salt Lake City to share their views on the new proposed theatre with Mr. Becker. They express their concern that the premises will not allow fair competition to other down town recreational venues. The officials representing three cities of came to join Becker to share with him on the developments that the Broadway have brought to the area since they developed theirs (Mark. 2011). It is from the consultants that we get the information of how the theater will improve the town to a modern form of town. They suggest that although the smaller enterprises will face greater challenges on the side of competition but the town at large will be experiencing a new look. Becker felt the passion and contributed actively in the discussion. He says, "As we continue to move forward with this exciting project, there are many lessons we can garner from other cities that have recently grown their cultural opportunities with new performing arts space," he wanted to get more information on how to develop the project in the best way possible. Ken Neufeld is the CEO and the president of Victorian Theater Association and an operator of Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Centre. He said “ the venue has become a point of pride in Dayton.” “We were the last piece of an urban development strategy,” said Neufeld, for the Schuster Center. “We finished a redevelopment of a lot of down town that was abandoned. We were the final piece of the puzzle” The statements said by Neufeld simply applied directly to the said premises. For instance, Salt Lake City has a great opportunity to exploit their resources that have remained dormant for a long period. This is evident when he said “That block in the heart of our downtown … has been relatively inactive now for decades," The city must design a good structure of plan to enable the project succeed in all its endeavors. The Salt Lake City has a partner that it can use its knowledge in applying on the proposed theater. The Salt Lake City has more opportunities in the area than Schuster Center. This is an added advantage on its side. Through cross-examination Neufeld uncovers that The Shuster Center is able to get $19.4 million by 12-2012. Having this much the Center has the ability to attract first-run-touring Broadway shows. He also added that Broadway is the determining factor on their part of investment. According to the statement from Mr. Neufeld, he expects that the project will be of great success. He stays optimistic that what they are planning will bore more fruits in the city than they expect. He also believes that the revenue will have to rise. This will be different from the current revenue collection. The corporation intends to build such a huge property so that businesses grow up in the city (Behle & Latimer, 2008). This can be achieved when the UPAC attracts more Broadway shows in its operations. Broadway shows have many advantages than disadvantages. Becker identified that Utah Performing Arts Center would act as a medium to foster development generate activities in downtown. He feels that when the City creek opens in 2012 march, it will require a catalyst in order to foster business activities in the City. The only option that he can see as a member of the corporation to improve business activities is opening of a recreational centre that can attract many people at the same time earn the city good revenue ( Jessop & Bitner, 2010). On his opinion mayor pointed out that an approximate of one hundred and fifty performances every year in a theater that can accommodate two thousand five hundred members it can attract existing and other new patrons in the city. He expects this to raise $9 million every year. Citing this fact, Becker identified that it would have a great positive impact on both the state and citizens. He believes that it would stop any new taxes for raising funds as part of the plan. It is from Mr. Becker that current subsidies for local arts program will maintain with such income (Behle, 2011). The city will operate its activities with minimum funding problems. That had great problems since the current arts programs raised concern that they would face unfavorable competition from the new and advanced art program that is almost set at the center of the city. He had come up with a solution to the problem that was really eating up his head. He also mentions that bonds that expire on other downtown facilities will be availed to assist in the development of the project this will have to include the solution of energy problems. Langat Helen a senior advisor to the of the mayor said that it is an economic structure that will be an asset compared to other departments of Performing arts which need sponsorship or subsidies in the area (Esplin & Provo, 2008). Therefore, she feels that it is a great idea to have it set at the center of the town. She identified that other several operating circumstances are in consideration in the view to collaborate. The most favorable partner is the Salt Lake County. According to her, this corporation runs other similar and major venues in down town although other organizations like Rose Wagner, Capitol Theatre and Abravanel Hal can be in partnership. All the three consultants assured the corporation that an apartment that can accommodate 2,500 people is capable to generate good income and attract first-run-touring Broadway production. They also made it clear that the productions would be both economic and traditional asset. At this point Neufeld found out what aspect was missing in the city and said in concurrence that piece of puzzle that is missing. He noted that last year, Schuster was able to attract 470,000 people to downtown in Dayton. This center can only accommodate 2,300 people at ago. In this context, the UPAC will have a capacity of 2,500 at ago together with handling different activities at the same time can even attract more than Schuster center when launched. In comparison to other venues that exist, Neufeld notes that Abravel Hall is the largest among all the four of them. For instance, he said that Abravanel has a capacity of 2768 although it is designed in form of a hall (Jessop & Bitner 2010). The Capitol Theater can host later runs of broadways production with a capacity of 1876 audience and the lowest one is the rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, which can only accommodate five hundred and one people at a time. in addition t this Neufeld observed that the only missing aspect is the 2500 seat and all will be well with the City. The consultants were in position to support the proposal that the theater be constructed just at the south of the city Creek. The reason behind is that this is a place that is at the center of the town and all people can access it with minimum or no difficulty (Mark, 2011). The interim director of Durham’s Department of community Development termed the site as a very impressive place to raise the premises. Durham a development officer makes it clear that it counts as a specially chosen site to attract even more citizens from and outside the city.mr. Reginald went on to note that Durham own two city theaters. The first one has a capacity of 1000 seat in Carolina while the second one, Durham Performing arts center, has a capacity of 2,800 seats. This gives the corporation the basis on which it should act since other cities have already succeeded (Behle, 2011). The COO and the president of Denver Center for the performing Arts, Randy Weeks noted that locating UPAC at the heart of the city is a perfect decision for the managers. He said this after examining both sides and judging according the benefits that will come through this project. Conclusion Utah Performing Arts Center is a project that is quite bright for the city managers. Its approximate cost is about $100million, which is a lot of money for the city and the taxpayers in general. There are different groups that have their own views according to his or her needs or requirement. For instance, the city county opposes the city planning body against using the taxpayers’ money to build a very important building that will provide numerous advantages rather than disadvantages like the small theaters. At the same time, the owners of the current theaters are quite afraid that the UPAC will give them great competition thus failing to gain the required profits. On the other hand the city managers have invited the neighbor city organizers to share their views and they prove that it is possible for the project to give positive results and benefit all the people in the city including those opposing it. References Behle, P. & Latimer, G. (2008). Salt Lake City, UT. New York press, Retried from www.parsonsbehlelaw.com Behle, P. & Latimer, M. (2011). Salt Lake City, UT. New York: New York press, Esplin, K. & Weight Provo (2008). UT New York press, Retrieved from www.esplinweight.com Jessop, T. & Bitner, P. (2010). Salt Lake City, UT. Washington DC www.cbclaw.com Mark K. Nelson, P.C. (2011). Salt Lake City, UT Macmillan publishers New York. Retrieved from www.mknlaw.com Read More