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Oberlin College considers arts district

Cindy Leise | The Chronicle-Telegram

OBERLIN — Oberlin College is studying the feasibility of a green arts district that could bring up to $200 million of development downtown, including a world-class conference center.

The goal of a green arts district is to renovate or build buildings that are friendly to the environment and support the arts, theater, opera and music.

The district would include the Oberlin Inn, Hall Auditorium and Allen Memorial Art Museum, which recently received a $590,900 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to upgrade its facilities.

So far, the district is only in the study stage and a report is expected by the end of the year from design firm Westlake Reed Leskosky.

However, excitement is building from movers and shakers.

“Oberlin’s downtown is going to sizzle and dazzle,” said City Council President David Sonner, who also likes plans for a new jazz center and other building projects planned downtown.

City manager Eric Norenberg said he was pleased that the college is meeting with local groups, saying it is wise to address rumors head-on.

Sandra Hodge, the college’s special assistant for community and government relations, said she is meeting with about a dozen groups.  

“It’s a place for everyone,” she said.

She said the college plans to protect historical buildings within the district. She said the future of the Oberlin Inn is uncertain and she does not know if it will be renovated or replaced.

One of those who have heard the presentation is Robert Coan, who heads the city’s Resource Recovery Committee.

“It’s very interesting and very energetic,” Coan said. “I heard a lot of people talking about the need for a conference center — the Oberlin Inn can’t hold a candle to the Wooster Inn.”

The green arts district would be north of the long-awaited $14 million East College Street project, which will be built on the site of the old Rax restaurant and a former car dealership. Last month, Oberlin College announced that would put an art gallery and studio facilities in 4,000 square feet of space in the project planned by Sustainable Community Associates.

Josh Rosen, one of the developers, said he was excited about the prospect of the green arts district.

“It sounds like a great plan,” he said. Rosen said he expects ground to be broken on the East College Street project, which includes residences, offices and retail space, around mid-September.

Contact Cindy Leise at 329-7245 or cleise@chroniclet.com.

 


Filed by Cindy Leise | The Chronicle-Telegram July 26th, 2008 in Local and State.

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