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2 <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell said that the concepts of maintaining the Carver Recreation Center <br />and putting a cultural center at Jefferson School was previously approved by Council. He <br />said the issue is whether Council wants to continue those uses as programmatic areas. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said he favors keeping the Recreation Center and moving forward with <br />a cultural center. He said he would support the cultural center having at least the first <br />floor of the historic part of the building, with its maximum size depending on what the <br />entity ends up being. He said the task is to come up with the best possible anchor tenant. <br />He said it would be negotiable with him if the schools or library wanted the Carver <br />Recreation site, though he would prefer to keep them at the current site. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton agreed that identifying the anchor tenant is key, but she is not ready <br />to divide up the space in the building, and would prefer to have a better idea of how the <br />whole is going to work. She said the anchor tenant and cultural center will have to work <br />together. <br /> <br />Mr. Lynch said he respects Ms. Hamilton's comment. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton asked for more information on the concept for the Recreation <br />Center, such as whether it will be a banquet facility and have an education component. <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell said there have been a series of concepts, including food service <br />somewhere in the building, and a place for culinary arts, banquets, and wedding <br />receptions. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said he would like to put it in the context of what other recreation <br />resources the City has or needs that could be expanded into the Recreation Center. <br /> <br />Mr. Schilling asked if the idea of a governor's school on the site is being pursued. <br /> <br />Ms. Hamilton asked if consolidation of school offices could be on the site. <br />Mr. Gecker said these uses are harder with an appointed School Board. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton said we need to decide on the concept for the building before we <br />talk about nuts and bolts details. <br /> <br /> Regarding a cultural center, Mr. O'Connell said it comes down ultimately to what <br />the community wants and can afford. He said a concrete program is then needed, <br />followed by fund raising. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said there needs to be a community organization from the community <br />up, not the City down. He said the City could do the initial funding of such a committee, <br />but broad energy and support will be needed. He said the City can help make the vision a <br />reality, but groups in the community should do it. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch encouraged the various groups interested in Jefferson School to get <br />together. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said he is in general agreement about pursing tax credits and having <br />the City work out the general scope of work for an architect with recreation/cultural <br />center knowledge. He said he likes the Task Force's definition of a cultural center. He <br />expressed concern that if the Recreation Center is replaced with something else it will <br />have to be placed elsewhere. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said he thinks the architect would come in after the cultural center <br />group has time to develop the concept and when there is a lead tenant. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling agreed with Mr. Lynch that we need to be further along before we <br />hire an architect. <br /> <br /> There was agreement to pursue maintaining the Recreation Center and the cultural <br />center. <br /> <br /> <br />