Minutes 12-4-97 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Civic Cu/tural Commission pa9e 2 ° Minutes of December 4, 1997 ITEM 2 — DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION ON THE POTENTIAL USE OF THE OLD SAN MATEO COUNTY COURTHOUSE AS A VISUAL ARTS MUSEUM Ruth Waters announced that she has met with a representative from the San Mateo County Historical Museum and with five members of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors to discuss ArtShare's desire to the adaptive re- use of the 1939 Courthouse building to a visual arts museum for San Mateo County. Ms. Waters shared pictures of the facility with the Commissioners. She explained that the County's original plan is to demolish the 1939 old Courthouse building located at 2200 Broadway in order to construct a new office building which would be opened in 1999; construction costs are estimated to be S3 million dollars. There is no clear decision on the part of the Supervisors if this project will actually happen and also City of Redwood City has not expressed its feelings about the demolition of the building. She noted the State Department of Historic Preservation has stated that this building is over 50 years old and qualifies as a historical site. The Commissioners agreed with the concept of establishing a visual arts museum in this facility and wanted to express their support of the project. M/S Piulle/Redington: To send a letter to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors with a copy to the City Council encouraging support of a San Mateo County Art Museum to be located in the 1939 Courthouse at 2200 Broadway. Ms. Waters stated that she spoke with Mike Church regarding applying for a Redevelopment grant for this project since this property is within the City's Redevelopment district. Motion passed. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Joe Marchi announced that the Center for the American Musical is interested in co-sponsoring an event with the Cultural Commission in February 1998. He spoke to the Commissioners about "Westwind", an ethnic dance group. which is available to perform on February 8, 1998 at Canada College at 2:30pm. Ticket prices would be S 15.00 general admission and S 12.50 for seniors/students. All profits would be divided between the Center and the Commission. Mr. Marchi will be coming back to the Commission at their January to formally apply for funding. ITEM 3 — SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS -Tis the Season Chairperson Ball spoke about the Tis the Season program and gave an update on the planned events. She also thanked Commissioner Distefano for her coverage of Tis the Season in the Redwood City Almanac and she also thanked staff for their assistance in getting the Tis the Season program on the back of the Winter Recreation brochure. The Tis the Season insert placed in the Redwood City Tribune was displayed to the Commission. Chairperson Ball suggested sending a letter to Gene Firpo and the production staff at the Tribune for a job well done on the insert.