RAVE board to manage Coronado Theatre
By: Marty Kasper
Updated: June 25, 2012
"We're here to make things better, not make things worse," said RAVE board chairman Mike Dunn.
It's
a move some city leaders think will only benefit
"This
is just enhancing the activities and the surrounding of the entire city,"
said alderman Ann Thompson-Kelly.
But
not all agreed with the move, Alderman Doug Mark felt the
"I
also have concerns on how we move forward with the resident companies and also
donors," said Mark.
But
RAVE board chairman Mike Dunn was surprised by Alderman Mark's comments, and
thought his vote against the merger was political.
"For
him to take a no vote tonight after his experience as an employee at the Metro Centre,
I think it was shameful," said Dunn.
The
new contract will cost the city 800-thouand dollars a year to finance RAVE's
operating budget, but is projected to save
"Its
one more tool in the pouch," said Dunn. "And
I think it's going to be great and benefit all of the tax payers."
The
RAVE board is required to submit monthly financial reports, and will have to
pay money back to the city that will help city redevelopment projects and
create jobs.
"They're
assuming debts that they had nothing to do with," said Thompson-Kelly. "And they're paying those debts, which is
fantastic."
Still,
Alderman Mark worries local talent could be pushed aside should larger acts get
schedule.
"Down
the line of where we're going to look, are we going to change some of the
dynamics with the new
But Dunn
says that's not the case.
"The RAVE management clearly understands and appreciates the importance of the local operations," said Dunn.
Since
taking over the
Dunn says this partnership will give them one more venue to
help draw in major acts to
