Laserfiche WebLink
83 <br /> <br />PUBLIC <br /> <br />There were no matters by the public. <br /> <br />PUBLIC HEARING: USE OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUNDS FOR PARAMOUNT <br />THEATER OR OTHER PURPOSES <br /> <br /> Mr. Hendrix explained that the City had received $50,000 <br />to be used for historic preservation as a result of an <br />agreement with a contractor who had illegally demolished <br />historic properties and the Paramount Theater has requested <br />the funds to help bring the building up to Code. <br /> <br />The public hearing was opened. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lee Scouten of 406 Oak Street stated that while he <br />appreciated the efforts of the Paramount he felt it was too <br />large a project and recommended that the funds be used for <br />other purposes such as restoring low income family homes. <br /> <br /> Ms. Roulac Toledano of 100 South Street West, <br />representing the Preservation Action Alliance, recommended <br />that the funds be used to establish a revolving fund which <br />could be used repeatedly for a variety of historic <br />properties. <br /> <br /> Mr. Harold Morris, Senior Vice President of Nations <br />Bank, 300 E. Main Street, stated that Nations Bank has <br />contributed substantially to the Charlottesville community <br />and s~pported the Paramount's request for the funds. Mr. <br />Morris stated that the building is cUrrently an eyesore and <br />needs immediate attention and that the funds would jumpstart <br />fundraising efforts and would help generate additional <br />revenues. <br /> <br /> Mr. James M. Maupin, Jr. stated that he thought the <br />money would be well spent if used to restore the Paramount. <br /> <br /> Ms. Donna Clepper~ representing the Charlottesville- <br />Albemarle Chamber of Commerce, presented a resolution adopted <br />by the Chamber Board of Directors which endorsed the <br />Paramount project as a means to encourage tourism and benefit <br />the econOmy and the arts. <br /> <br /> Mr. Michael Giannini, 1411 Chesapeake Street, President <br />of the Woolen Mills Neighborhood Association, requested that <br />a portion of the funds be used to replace the Woolen Mills <br />Chapel roof which is estimated to cost $26,000. <br /> <br /> Mr. Alton Martin, 800 Rugby Road, former member of the <br />Charlottesville Industrial Development Authority, and owner <br />and operator of the Movie Palace on the downtown mall, stated <br />that the did not feel restoration of the Paramount made <br />economic sense and that a market should be needed before a <br />product is created. Mr. Martin stated that he did not feel <br />the public had been adequately educated about use of the <br />funds and did not think the City should over commit to one <br />large project. <br /> <br /> Ms, Terry Shotwell~ 408 E. Market Street, owner of two <br />restaurants on the downtown ~mall, stated that she supported <br />funding for the Paramount, noting that she felt the project <br />is financially feasible and will attract people to the mall <br />and promote performing arts. <br /> <br /> Ms. Lucy Dancer, President of the Board of First Night <br />Virginia, stated that the Board voted to support the request <br />of the Paramount for the funding. Ms. Dancer stated that it <br />was a priority of the Board to keep First Night downtown and <br />the Paramount could become the focal point of the evening's <br />celebration. Ms. Dancer added that she felt awarding the <br />entire $50,000 to the Paramount would have a greater impact <br />on the community. <br /> <br /> <br />