No dramatics are necessary, so we’ll just say the city’s plan to build a children’s theater in downtown Everett needs some improvisation.
In December, the city agreed in principle with Village Theatre to build a children’s theater in the former Key Bank at Wetmore and California avenues, adjacent to the Everett Performing Arts Center. The city contracts with Village Theatre to manage the performing arts center, which houses the group’s popular Kidstage program.
The proposed new 170-seat theater would primarily be used for Kidstage, which provides year-round education. The theater would also have classrooms, sprung floors for dancing, rehearsal space and a coffee bar connected to an outdoor public plaza.
It would all sound great, if Village Theatre, or somebody with magic coins, were footing the bill. Because to make this dream a reality, the city-owned Key Bank building needs major remodeling, including a seismic retrofit. Under the deal, the city and Village Theatre will split the remodeling costs — now estimated at $2 million.
Dozens of downtown business owners and landowners have petitioned the city to pull the curtains on the plan, tear down the building and build an underground parking garage and street level plaza. They say the city shouldn’t be in the business of building children’s theaters. They say downtown needs more parking. Supporters of the project say the city shouldn’t be in the business of building garages to benefit private business. They say downtown needs more public gathering places. All good points.
But we simply can’t summon support for the city to spend at least $1 million (you know how those estimates keep going up) to build a children’s theater when the existing facility is more than adequate, and other venues exist.
Village Theatre faces likely donor fatigue as it seeks to raise the $1 million for the project. In May, the Historic Everett Theatre issued a dire plea to raise $75,000 to make it through the summer. The 834-seat, nonprofit theater receives no city, state or federal dollars. Run by part-time staff and volunteers, the theater’s existence is largely dependent on generous patrons; the same ones who will be tapped for the children’s theater. The Everett Symphony Orchestra, another financially struggling yet essential program, will call the Everett Theatre home in the fall — as long as the theater remains open. Importantly, the theater also serves as a venue for children’s workshops and shows such as the Women’s Film Festival.
Everyone wants a vibrant downtown. A good project can be found among the competing interests. Let the improvising begin.
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