TMCnet News
Officials to decide on opera house proposalTRAVERSE CITY, Dec 05, 2009 (The Record-Eagle - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- City commissioners will decide whether to turn over management of the City Opera House to an arm of Michigan State University. The commission on Monday is scheduled to decide on a 3-year proposal with MSU's Wharton Center for Performing Arts to operate the historic city-owned venue on East Front Street downtown. Wharton would be paid $75,000 a year and would be responsible for any financial losses during the length of the contract. It would not cover the facility's current $250,000 operational debt. The proposal sparked a lengthy debate among city officials and area residents at a commission meeting last month. Critics challenged the lack of transparency in negotiating the proposal, while supporters said the Wharton Center's management experience would be an asset to the facility. In other business, the commission will consider approving implementation steps in the city's bayfront management plan. Also on tap is a possible closed session to discuss a federal lawsuit by the city against Charter Communications for the cable company's move to relocate some public access channels on its program lineup. Several appointments will also be considered, including a group to review plans for the 2010 National Cherry Festival. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Governmental Center at 400 Boardman Ave. To see more of The Record-Eagle or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.record-eagle.com/. Copyright (c) 2009, The Record-Eagle, Traverse City, Mich. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |