Updated with revised estimates for city’s bond payment contribution.
It was a roll-up-your sleeves kind of work session for the Edmonds City Council Tuesday night, with time to hear presentations from city staff about a wide range of topics that are likely to come before the council later for decisions. Along with a complex hour-long Shoreline Master Program Update that addresses the potential for residential development in the Harbor Square Business Complex and a 15-minute update on rewriting the city’s codes, there was a quarterly progress report from the Edmonds Public Facilities District, which operates the Edmonds Center for the Arts (ECA) through an inter-jurisdictional agreement with the City of Edmonds.
Edmonds Center for the Arts Director Joe McIalwain addressed both the continued progress and ongoing challenges facing the city’s performing arts facility.
ECA performances averaged 81 percent capacity this season, and the facility prides itself on year-round involvement with community groups and youth organizations, McIalwain noted. “We are really doing well, gaining a lot of attraction, attention from throughout the region,” he said. A recent KidStock event drew 2,500 children to the ECA for free performances, he added.
While operating revenue is in the black and growing, the ECA still needs to borrow money from the City of Edmonds to meet bond payment obligations created by the remodel of the former Edmonds High School into a performing arts venue. McIalwain predicted that the city will need to loan the ECA $190,000 in 2013 — reduced from $249,000 the city provided in 2012 — to cover the shortfall, the result of a poor economy and hence less-than-expected sales tax contributions to the organization
However, he noted that the Edmonds Public Facilities District is looking at a variety of options for closing that funding gap. Among them is work with a coalition of 24 public facilities districts statewide to lobby for legislation that would extend a sales tax rebate for public facilities districts 15 years past its current sunset date.
The ECA is also preparing to conduct a facilities condition assessment to help identify immediate and long-term facilities concern, including plumbing, mechanical and electrical issues. The results of such an assessment will be used to create a comprehensive and prioritized maintenance schedule, he said.
In addition, the ECA/Public Facilities District has launched a strategic planning process, including focus groups, interviews and surveys. The plan is currently under review and is expected to be finalized later this spring, McIalwain said.
This is an incredible resource for this area. I moved to MLT 2 1/2 years ago and was thrilled to find so many world class artists performing in this incredible venue so close to home. No need to fight Seattle traffic to enjoy a first rate evening out.
Thanks to everyone at ECA for all of your great work!
Thank you for this great synopsis, Teresa. I would like to submit one clarification, if I may. The loan request from the Public Facilities District to the City of Edmonds in 2013 is projected to be less than $190,000. While I recognize that this is remains a large amount and an issue that must be resolved as quickly as possible, I think it is important to note that the loan amount in 2013 will be significantly less than the 2012 loan amount. We’re making some progress, and we will continue to pursue solutions. Again, thank you for your commitment to the community and for helping to keep us all informed and engaged.
I also want to thank Ms. Russell for her comments and for her support of ECA. We are very grateful and glad that you are taking advantage of what we believe is a really fantastic resource for the Edmonds community and for people across the region.
Thanks, Joe. I will update the story to reflect the change.
It is unfortunate that the ECA presentations need to concentrate so much on the bond issue. Thankfully Joe was able to mention the performances that have been presented in the recent past.
Edmonds is very fortunate to have such an organization and in any other city it would be funded on a regular basis rather than through an emergency loan basis.
I hope that’s future presentations can have more emphasis on the amazing performances that the ECA hosts. The financial issues are well known and dealt with.
The ECA has become a class act. It ads tremendously to the perception and the reality that Edmonds is a first class city.
Kudos to Joe McIalwain for leading the charge.
Joe’s leadership continues to showcase how under the right vision and execution an organization can grow and thrive. Well done Joe. I know the work is not yet done, but kudos.