Carefree Truth

Issue #338, August 8, 2014

 

 

 

Jim Van Allen, who served briefly on the previous Council before tendering his resignation, encouraged the Council to extend the lease on the space currently rented at 100 Easy Street that is due to expire in 2016, "...to do it now, and to vigorously get involved in leasing that facility over there", pointing towards the area vacated by the Carefree Court.  Mr. Van Allen seemed unaware that the "dark space" previously occupied by the Court is required to be rented again as part of the package should the Town choose to extend the lease for an additional 5 years beyond 2016.  He felt, "What we need is what we have, not what a few would like to see in a new facility", adding that Carefree has been bragging about having no debt.

 

 

 

He did some research on theaters.  Fountain Hills and downtown Scottsdale built and own the buildings which host their theater companies.  Fountain Hills pays supplemental costs annually.  He was unable to find the pertinent information in Scottsdale's budget.  The seats are not always sold out during performances, and no sales tax is collected on ticket sales at either location.  "My question is, is this economic development?  Where?  How?"

 

 

 

 

Mr. Van Allen opined that the Council should wait and see what Carefree needs after the expiration of the extended lease in 2021.  He wanted to see the Town instead concentrate money and effort on creating a "better shopping experience", on keeping the stores open Sundays during the summer, and on pushing Realtors to bring in "what the people want."  He suggested adding shade and misters along Easy Street.

 

 

 

 

He said the location where the Desert Foothills Theater now holds performances is close to over 1/4 of Carefree residents.  Mr. Van Allen ended his comments, "I encourage you, I BEG you, to put this thing to bed and not to put us into debt."     

 

http://vimeo.com/user18676056/review/102899794/a5dbe660a4

 

 

 

 

Longtime Councilman Greg Gardner spoke briefly, reminding the Council that he had headed an effort to bring a multi faceted cultural center into downtown Carefree many years ago, so was aware of all the "moving parts" involved in such an endeavor.  He was not speaking for or against projects being proposed now, but encouraged the Council to do full due diligence before proceeding to bring cultural amenities into a Town owned building. 

 

 

Lyn Hitchon

 

 

 

Prepared by Carefree Truth

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