Arts and Humanities Council of Falls Church

Arts and Humanities Council of Falls Church Meeting December 21, 2017 Cherry Hill Farmhouse Minutes Members Present: Corey Jannicelli, Laura Hull, Ellen Gross, Marybeth Connelly, Letty Hardi, Sally Cole, Ed Henderson, Lindy Hockenberry, Irene Chambers Guests: Alice Lieberman, Rich Hausler, Maury Stern, Scott Adams, Jenny Carroll, Keith Thurston The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Laura Hull at 9:33 am. Minutes: Meeting minutes were approved with name corrections. Motion by Marybeth and Laura approved. TLCCF Report:  Barb Cram provided an update on planning for Watch Night’s 20th Anniversary. There will be a full page pullout in the NewsPress for the event Arts & Cultural District MAP  Barb Cram has reached out to other localities but their staff was out of the office for the holidays and she will follow up in the New Year.  Barb Cram will send out a preliminary outline proposal to A&H Council members to review prior to our January meeting.  Proposal by A&H Council will then be submitted to the planning committee QUESTION – How can Culture and History be represented in this building?  SUGGESTIONS o Crossroads were a multi-racial commercial district o Recommended reviewing the Tinner Hill’s Portraits of Black and White o African American History is vibrant and important in Falls Church o Creative Cauldron space will offer an opportunity for creating living history QUESTION – What will make this a Class A building?  ANSWER o INSIGHT plans for floor plates and types of finishes that are found in class A buildings and will attract higher rent & established businesses QUESTION - What is the public meeting space availability? 1   ANSWER o The top of the building will be an event space, privately owned but can be rented out for events.  REQUESTt: We would like to see the VCs – Share Public Space QUESTION – Will INSIGHT manage the building?  ANSWER - NO o INSIGHT will be the long term owners but will hire a 3rd party to manage the building that will report to INSIGHT QUESTION – What are the parking arrangements for the Building?  ANSWERS o Access to parking will be on E Broad & N Washington (connected to retail) o 2 floors of underground parking -some for residence & some public o Parking will be validated for retail and theatre on INSIGHT properties. o INSIGHT is looking into traffic calming on Lawton St. QUESTION - How do you plan to address busy drop off/pick up needs for Creative Cauldron?  ANSWER o INSIGHT plans to have designated drop off locations with free 5 to 10 min spots o Potential drop off on E Broad St will be for 2 car spots QUESTION– Will buildout costs cover theatrical lighting?  ANSWER o Still under negotiation. QUESTION- What will be directly above Creative Cauldron?  ANSWER o There will be four floors of residential apartments above QUESTION- How will construction activities impact current retail?  ANSWER o Traffic Consultants have already reviewed plans and received positive comments from city staff because? QUESTION – Will the building address Streetscape requirements?  ANSWER o Yes, INSIGHT intends to follow Streetscape guidelines QUESTION - Are you providing outdoor seating?  ANSWER o There is currently no plan for benches on Broad St but restaurants along N Washington will have submerged outside seating available for the restaurant only. QUESTION- What about State Theatre parking on the Insight lot?  ANSWER o Available spaces will vary from a couple dozen to a few hundred REQUESTS 2   Undulation be 50 Ft  INSIGHT take care of the businesses already there – HOW?  What we would like to see will be listed in our letter to the City and in the voluntary concessions RECOMMENDATIONS  Renting church parking for workers can alleviate construction parking and staging issues during construction.  Recommendation was made to have branding go with current Arts and Humanities plus CATCH Foundation branding efforts since we need to have the Arts & Cultural District map approved before the building can put this designation on their property, and we wish to work closely with the developer on this and other Arts and Humanities Council member issues: The INSIGHT property would be available for special free venues at Watch Night Falls Church (20 years of this event that is supported by the businesses, churches, non-profit groups, and the City of Falls Church; free meeting space for its non-profit members; commemoration of the history of the Historic Crossroads; outdoor entertainment feature local entertainers; Continuation of the Streetscape – planters, CATCH event banners, benches, bus shelters, and historic markers for the Crossroads and early business district of the City (Multiple signs if possible to mark locations). (see letter that will be sent to Council, etc.) Planning and Development Update: Municipal Park  Multiple members expressed growing concern around the planned park  The loss of parking spaces will make parking more competitive in the area  Concerns that the renovations to the park will create more problems than benefit  Suggestion was made for relatively inexpensive improvements to the existing park space rather than expanding into important parking spots. Vote – Move by the Arts and Humanities Council to recommend inexpensive improvements to existing park and saving current parking spots Second by Laura Hull Vote Passes and a letter will be drafted for City Council, Planning Commission and EDA with recommendation Old Business:  No Updates New Business/ Upcoming Events:  Mason Row (now Founders Row) will be coming back to City Council when theatre lease is confirmed to present senior housing option Adjourn Meeting was adjourned by at 11:34 by Keith Thurston and second by Ed Henderson Next Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 18 at 9:30 am. Location TBD Submitted: By Corey Jannicelli 3