HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-08-24 Arts Culture Commission MinutesDraft Minutes ☐
Approved Minutes ☒
Approved Date: 9/28/2017
Minutes
City Of Edina, Minnesota
Arts and Culture Commission
Edina Art Center Studio 14
August 24, 2017
4:30 p.m.
I. Call To Order
Chair Anne Miller called the meeting to order at 4:34 p.m.
II. Roll Call
Commissioners Present: Susan Chandler, Cheryl Gunness, Douglas Hegley, Heather Isaacs, Anne Miller and
Russ Rubin.
Commissioners Absent: Stella Chaffee, Ray Meifert and Steve Suckow.
Student Commissioners Present: Jane Howe.
Student Commissioners Absent: Mollie Mertes.
Staff Present: Michael Frey, General Manager, Edina Art Center.
Guests Present: Dave Anderson and Dean Williamson, Frauenshuh Commercial
III. Approval of Meeting Agenda
Motion by Commissioner Rubin with a second by Commissioner Chandler to approve the
meeting agenda as amended to strike Item IV, Approval of Minutes. Motion carried.
IV. Approval of Meeting Minutes
Motion by Commissioner Chandler with a second by Commissioner Rubin to approve the Regular
Meeting Minutes of June 22, 2017. Motion carried.
Motion by Commissioner Rubin with a second by Commissioner Hegley to approve the Regular
Meeting Minutes of July 27, 2017. Motion carried.
V. Community Comment
No Community Members were present.
VI. Reports/Recommendations
A. Grandview Update – Mr. Dave Anderson & Mr. Dean Williamson
The Grandview update began with introductions by Mr. Dave Anderson and Mr. Dean Williamson of
Frauenshuh Commercial, the collaborative development partner with the City. Mr. Anderson led a high-level
discussion of the feasibility study by Frauenshuh of the Grandview site, the 3.3 acre former public works site. As
many people know, private and public uses were considered, as well as civic uses and a community center.
Draft Minutes ☐
Approved Minutes ☒
Approved Date: 9/28/2017
Frauenshuh continues to evaluate the site and will engage with council this fall on development potential. An
exciting opportunity could be an art center on the south portion of the site. Mr. Anderson spoke of what kind
of facility does the City want; this could be a catalyst project and a center piece of district and a gathering place
for Edina.
Mr. Anderson showed slides of preliminary studies with1/3 public, 1/3 parking and 1/3 private development
portioning of the site. The location would be the first in the Twin Cities metro area to have ball fields on the
top of a parking structure. The lease arrangement and debt service proposed would be worked through with
City Staff.
One idea is to enter into a purchase agreement with the City and privately finance an art center built by
Frauenshuh on the south portion of site. A lease arrangement with the City would be needed to rent the
building. The City would be responsible for providing the contents of the interior space. Another option is to
include the land that would continue to be privately owned and leased by the City. Estimated cost of the project
is 8-10 million for a 20,000 sf art center with primary access off of Eden Avenue.
Commissioner Chandler offered that the space would be a great catalyst, and 20,000 sf seems like a good size.
She requested that everybody involved make it as green as possible and forward thinking as an arts building
wants to look to the future. She was curious about the parking ramp synergy with the City ramp behind Jerry’s,
asked how much is it used and are we overbuilding parking. She referenced Columbus Commons in Columbus
Ohio, with all types of programming, not just sports, but interesting active spaces.
Commissioner Hegley asked why an art center there instead of something else. Mr. Anderson replied it could be
something else, an office building, restaurant, but believed the City would appreciate a civic use for the site and
thought an art center would be perfect for the site, it would capture people from shopping, and a 20,000 sf
center, while not huge, would fit nicely in the space as 25% of the site on the south would be used for an art
center.
Commissioner Hegley mentioned self-driving cars are in the future, and spoke of his employer, the Minneapolis
Institute of Arts, or Mia, struggling to figure out their 3 decaying parking ramps.
Commissioner Rubin asked what can be done to make it look like an art center. Commissioner Chandler
offered the idea of the center being closer to the library.
B. 2017 Work Plan – Initiative #3 – Coordinate Public Art Program
Public Art Chair Cheryl Gunness led a conversation of public art and the question of what is public art versus
what is art in public places.
Commissioner Hegley stated that if we are tastemakers, making decisions about taste, we become irrelevant.
Commissioner Gunness spoke of inclusion of public art in the comprehensive plan.
Commissioner Isaacs spoke positively about the potential artist in residence program at Grandview.
Commissioner Hegley stated– Go back to the why? We have a lot of what, but why? Asking, what is the
strategy?
Chair Miller asked how public art fits in with Edina.
VII. Correspondence and Petitions
Draft Minutes ☐
Approved Minutes ☒
Approved Date: 9/28/2017
None received.
VII. Chair and Member Comments
Commissioner Rubin offered a comment about a new center be pragmatic with a pleasant ambiance.
Staff Comments
General Manager Frey reported on the “200 Clay Cups” Exhibit Opening this evening.
VIII. Adjournment
Commissioner Rubin motions to adjourn with a second by Commissioner Chandler. Motion
carried.
The August 2017 Arts & Culture Commission meeting was adjourned at 6:12 p.m.