Midtown performing arts theater proposed

COEUR d’ALENE — After nearly two years of sparring with ignite cda over workforce housing plans in midtown, neighborhood activist Gregg Johnson may have stumbled upon a solution.

Johnson, along with the executive director of The Modern Theater, presented their proposal to build a professional performing arts theater to the ignite cda board Wednesday evening.

While the board took no formal action on the project, many of the members expressed an interest in pursuing the idea — if a few bugs can be worked out with the workforce housing developers.

George Green, executive director of The Modern Theater, said his nonprofit would build a $4.9 million performing arts center on the property just north of Capone’s Pub and Grill on Fourth Street, but only if they can work out a lease with ignite cda for the land to build it on.

Green asked the board to consider formally committing the land to the project until the theater group completes its four-year fundraising effort on Dec. 31, 2020. After that, the Modern Theater would like to enter into an agreement to lease the land for 99 years at $100 per year.

After hearing the 10-minute proposal, ignite cda Executive Director Tony Berns said the idea was great, but The Housing Company — which proposed workforce housing on that location — owns a major portion of the property.

Berns said after the meeting that he has made The Housing Company aware of the The Modern Theater’s plans, but he is not sure if it would be willing to work out a deal on the property.

Adam Graves, a board member of The Modern Theater, said the theater is kind of in a holding pattern until they figure out if the midtown site will work.

“This is our first choice,” he said after the meeting. “Somebody is going to have to talk with The Housing Company.”

Mic Armon, ignite cda board member, commended Johnson for sticking with his effort — which at times has been contentious — to ensure that any midtown redevelopment project is going to be supported by the neighborhood.

Denny Davis, chairman of the ignite cda board, agreed.

“I think I speak for the whole board here when I say we would love to come up with something a lot of people love,” Davis said, referring to the past tension the board has faced with Johnson’s neighborhood group.

Graves said Wednesday’s meeting is a starting point. If he can get ignite cda to help acquire that property from The Housing Company and formally commit that property to the performing arts center, The Modern Theater could begin its fundraising efforts.

Armon said after the meeting that the concept is certainly intriguing, but there are still many unanswered questions.

Dave Patzer, ignite cda board member, questioned whether ignite could even enter into a lease because the property will revert to the city when the Lake District is expected to close in 2021.

Coeur d’Alene Mayor Steve Widmyer, who also sits on the ignite board, said he believes a long-term lease could be negotiated similar to the lease the University of Idaho has on the Harbor Center Building.

Others were concerned about parking. Green said the plans show space available for a maximum of 180 spaces, but estimates a sold-out show would at maximum require only 150 parking spaces.

Deanna Goodlander, also with ignite cda, said she thought the idea was a perfect fit for the neighborhood, but added she would have to be convinced The Modern Theater had the financial means to make the project happen.

Green told the board that when he was hired to take over the theater company in 2010, his budget was $80,000 a year. Since then, the theater group has purchased another Spokane theater company, and will budget $800,000 this year.

“I am confident what we put before you is achievable,” Green said.

Based on industry standards, Green told the board each ticket holder will spend on average an additional $24.60 outside the admission price to the show. And based on The Modern Theater’s anticipated ticket sales, that could bring an additional $1.8 million annually into the Coeur d’Alene economy — not to mention an additional $100,000 to $200,000 in parking revenues.

Green said the plan is to operate the theater 52 weeks a year, which would draw additional tourists to Coeur d’Alene even in the shoulder seasons.

He added it is a unique economic development opportunity.

Brad Jordan, ignite cda board member, said he really liked the concept, and thought it was worthy of additional consideration. Jordan said a lot of companies — especially in the high tech industry — are looking for communities with those type of amenities.

Graves said overall he felt the presentation went well, and will pursue the concept with ignite cda staff.