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December 16, 2004

Deadline passes, Strand Theater still seeking suitors

Jeremy Schwab

When the M. Harriet McCormack Center for the Arts saw its 25-year lease expire on the Strand Theater in Upham’s Corner June 30, the McCormack board of directors probably knew they would not be back.

Following reports in the Banner of mismanagement of funds, frayed relationships with producers and hiring of family members by Victoria Jones, the manager hired by the nonprofit to run the theater, the city — which owns the Strand — set out to find new management.

The 85-year-old theater has proven a hard sell, however. In late summer, the Department of Neighborhood Development ran advertisements in the Banner and five other local community papers, the Boston Globe and on the Boston Cable Channel.

Meanwhile, a task force of Upham’s Corner residents and arts and business leaders who had advised the city on the future direction of the theater were enlisted to spread the word about the request for proposals, as was the city’s Small & Local Business Enterprise Office.

But while 26 organizations picked up applications, none applied for the 15-year lease, even after the city extended the deadline from September 30 to October 14.

“We are going to try to interview some people in the arts community to try and figure out what about the proposal wasn’t attractive and what their interests were,” said Barbara Salfity, deputy director of the DND’s real estate division.

One former Strand employee speculated that Jones’ poor relationship with producers may make groups wary of signing on.

“The lease is very long and I think they are a small bit worried that the previous management might have burnt a lot of bridges with suppliers and stuff like that,” said the former employee, who wished to remain anonymous. “They wouldn’t be able to pick up existing relationships with suppliers, and would have to put money up front to open an account with service providers.”

Representatives of the DND plan to consult with foundations and other organizations that fund the arts before issuing another request for proposals.

“We expect to issue another RFP,” said Salfity. “The first of the year, we are going to do outreach and feedback. We’ll talk to some national organizations that work on the arts and some of the foundations about who could successfully fund it and sort of back into it that way.”

The task force recommended this summer that the city maintain the Strand’s community focus, and city representatives have promised to maintain community programming.

However, DND administrators are looking at for-profit as well as nonprofit entities that might bring more financial backing to the theater. One option being considered is a collaboration between a community group and a larger entity, such as a university.

However, who is chosen will depend on what organizations, if any, apply.

“We have a performance high school that has showed some interest in using the facility,” said Salfity. “Maybe there is some opportunity for collaboration between a variety of different users with some umbrella organization. The city is open to different structures as long as there’s a responsible fiscal agent.”

The city has promised to present applicants to the community in an open meeting before making any decisions on the lease. In the meantime, shows continue to be produced, and DND administrators have extended the contract of Interim Manager Michelle Baxter until June.

“We are currently negotiating a design contract for some capital improvements to the property,” said Salfity. “The city continues to be committed for there to be a theater at Upham’s Corner and the Strand, so we’ll continue to do outreach and get feedback.”

 

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