An emphasis on art

The question of establishing a feasible arts district in an area is not one with a simple “yes” or “no” answer.

Rather, said Arthur Greenberg with AMS Planning & Research Corp., four categories exist in which subsequent actions would result in the creation of an arts district in western Independence’s four-block Englewood district – arts and culture; the built environment; coordination and promotion; and business development.

But in Independence, there’s also another element, said Greenberg, director of AMS’ Midwest branch in St. Louis. (The corporation has provided consulting services for the arts and entertainment industries for 20 years.)

“I think we are at a particular time and place where there is a convergence of opportunity, and good things are happening,” he said. “In other words, the school district (annexation of seven schools into the Independence School District) is a good thing that just happened to western Independence. The Green Dog Gallery is a good thing that has happened in Englewood.

“The big conclusion that I draw from this project – having worked on a lot of similar projects – is that it’s not very often that you get that convergence of external things like the school district happening at the same time.” 

Arts and culture, Greenberg said, would include anchor cultural institutions like the Puppetry Arts Institute, Englewood Botanical Gardens, Green Dog Gallery and the Englewood Theatre.

It was the now-closed theater that sparked interest in an arts district feasibility study, said Tom Lesnak, president of the Independence Council for Economic Development. In summer 2008, Englewood-area residents expressed interest in reopening the theater and exploring other possible uses for the structure.

In March, the Independence Council for Economic Development commissioned a study for the feasibility of an arts district in Englewood, which has recently received notice for its revitalization efforts, along with neighborhoods like Maywood and Fairmount. With the ICED as the study’s coordinating agency, three local entities provided funding – the city of Independence, $18,500; the Englewood Business Association, $2,000; and the Truman Heartland Community Foundation, $5,000; for a total of $25,000.

Linda Austin, who owns Englewood’s Austin Five & Dime Store with her husband, Alan, said Wednesday that the Austins plan to reopen the Englewood Theatre at the end of September. Wade Williams still owns the theater.

Two former Comprehensive Mental Health Services’ buildings in Englewood are now for sale, which could accommodate cultural-related uses, Greenberg said.

From here, Lesnak said additional action toward an arts district will take place within 90 to 180 days. The study provided a “road map to get us focused on what the opportunities are,” he said. Task force meetings will take place in several weeks to determine short-term and long-term goals, as well as financial and organizational resources.

During times of economic hardships, many cities and communities look to capitalize on their competitive edge, including “what is unique, organic and indigenous about a community,” Greenberg said.

That, he said, is part of the strategy in an economic recession.

Those who’ve recently lost their jobs because of the recession are more likely to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities, especially artists, Lesnak said. The Englewood arts district initiative also might pair with the upcoming Independence Regional Entrepreneurship Center and its business incubator component, he said.

“Sometimes the economy puts people in the situation of doing something they wouldn’t normally do. A lot of people want to be their own bosses,” Lesnak said. “On the incubator side, we see a lot more people wanting to start their own business because their other employment opportunity, which was safe and secure, is no longer safe and secure.”