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A 2,000-seat
Freshfields Village Community Performing Arts Center costing
$7-8 million is proposed in the Draft Feasibility, Site
Selection and Planning Study submitted to the Town of Kiawah
Island on February 26, 2007. The Town authorized up to $50,000
for this project in November 2006, engaging Lenart Architecture
of New York to do this work.
Their preliminary “initial findings” state the final result of
the Center will be “an outstanding international class venue
that will function well and compliment the success of
Freshfields Village and the larger community goals of providing
a facility that serves both the permanent and transient
population of the greater John’s Island, Seabrook Island and
Kiawah Island communities.”
Two potential sites were considered, with Site A being the most
viable and the one discussed in the study. This would place the
amphitheatre next to the pond in Freshfields, with the stage and
some of the seating area extending into it. The rendering above
is taken from the study, and shows the facility in relationship
to the surrounding area.
The chosen site provides an opportunity to integrate the Center
with existing Freshfields buildings and incorporate
administrative and function events on the second and third
floors, with the ground floor existing for commercial activity.
The consultants foresee no engineering or construction problems.
Existing and proposed parking will accommodate 667 spaces (total
) necessary to service the 2,000 seats, though parking close to
the stage is considered a major issue. An additional acoustical
study will be necessary. “Sound impact is one of the major
issues these facilities usually need to address in the early
planning stages.” The estimated $7-8 million cost is contingent
“on the elaboration of the architecture of the main amphitheatre
structure, the extent of the support facilities to be built as
part of this development, a multi-phased implementation of the
project, as well as the addition of any special technical
requirements for symphonic acoustical treatments and stage craft
equipment required for regional theatre.”
It further states the Center could potentially “provide a home
and a catalyst for community based activities; leverage
partnerships with existing hotels and restaurants; become fully
integrated into the development of the village; provide a
pedestrian link to the lagoon; offer a unique outdoor music
experience and vistas; preserve other parcels for passive use
experience; provide Freshfields Village with a unique
entertainment facility.” The center would have “minimum impact
on the commercial development options of Freshfields Village.”
The report states because of the success of the first phase,
Phases Two and Three of Freshfields planning have been advanced,
and will include additional commercial spaces, lodging and some
housing. Existing sewer lines are considered inadequate, though
the study said the problem could be solved by holding tanks
which would “discharge (waste) uniformly during non-demand times
of the day.”
The amphitheatre portion of the Center would have an overhead,
non-deployable cover for reserved and VIP seating zones.
Unreserved seating zones would remain uncovered. Program plans
include music theatre, festival programming, Spoleto Festival
USA, opera, community theatre, dance, chamber, symphonic, choral
and jazz music and middle of the road entertainment.
Non-performance events could include conferences, trade shows or
lectures.
Several references are made to the “open-ended issues in regard
to the extent the facility will or will not serve the symphony.
Their inclusion in future planning will be vitally important to
the facility’s success and will have a potentially significant
impact on the cost of the facility.” The study states that the
possible participation of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra
summer season “is an important consideration in locating the
facility within Freshfields Village.” [Ed note: Currently, the
Charleston Symphony Orchestra does not have a summer season.
According to recent information in the Charleston Post &
Courier, the Charleston Symphony Orchestra is struggling for its
existence. The Town recently donated $50,000 to them.]
It is unclear how the Town will proceed in this matter, but KPOG
understands the Town has requested funding for this project from
the 2007 ATAX budget. Public hearings for property owner input
have not been scheduled at press time.
Additional Information
In researching our coverage of the proposed amphitheatre
at Freshfields, KPOG sent Council Member Don McIver a series of
questions. McIver responded to those questions with the proviso
his responses not be edited and would be printed in their
entirety. While his recollection of some events in his
statements differ from KPOG’s, his answers are printed below as
presented to TALK. The questions asked by TALK are exactly those
presented to McIver, with no editing.
Question: At an Arts Council meeting last September you
addressed the group about the proposed amphitheatre. At that
time, you assured them this was a "pie in the sky" and would not
go forward unless Seabrook contributed to the cost. You also
requested that I not print anything about Seabrook in TALK and
the promised invitation for their cooperation in the venture. .
. and I complied. And sent you that portion of the article for
your approval--which you gave.
Answer: I don't recall saying Seabrook's contributions
are linked to any decision to proceed. From the beginning, Mayor
Wert and I have made it clear that due to the two town's vastly
different financial positions, we do not expect this to be a
50-50 type project. Its a community project that, if built, will
improve the quality of life for the entire Islands area and
beyond. Also, support can come in many forms other than raw
dollars. Seabrook and its residents can contribute in many ways
to the project. In my opinion, we have more than enough
"we-they". I believe its time for Kiawah and Seabrook to start
working together to mutually benefit our part of the world, and
quit worrying whether one Island or the other contributes this
or that.
Question: Since that time, you have not said anything
about whether or not Seabrook had been approached, had agreed to
contribute or had given any feedback at all about this proposal.
Answer: The Mayor and others at Seabrook are informed and
helping with the investigative efforts and support those
efforts. I would note that, like Kiawah, NO decision has been
made relative to proceeding with the project.
Question: Am I safe in thinking that indeed the
amphitheatre will not be built without Seabrook's contribution?
Answer: No, you are not safe, as no decision on these
aspects have been made or even discussed.
Question: You also said that two major companies would be
donating their services for a feasibility study on the proposal.
It would appear they "changed their minds" since the Town
appropriated $50,000 for the study. Could you give me a little
insight into this, please.
Answer: Where this idea came from is a mystery- I never
said or implied that. What you may be referring to is a comment
I made in reference to a firm called SMG. This firm manages a
number of performing arts facilities. I did indicate that when
we reach the point of needing insight into annual operating
costs, this firm may donate some resources to answer these types
of questions.
Question: How does the Town propose to finance this?
McIver’s Answer: Until all investigation work is
completed which will not be until at least this fall or later,
information to intelligently answer this question does not
exist. This is precisely why any public meetings at this point
would be premature. Once all information is gathered, the Town
will hold a number of meetings to answer questions and get the
public's views on the merits of this proposal.
Question: Has there been an environmental impact study
done? When will those results, if any, be available? What
environmental permits will be necessary?
Answer: Since the proposed site is within Freshfields, I
would presume that a lot of the required permitting has been
done in connection with the existing development. Other than
that observation, I have no comment.
Question: When does the Town plan to reveal the
renderings for the amphitheatre?
Answer: See previous responses.
Question: It is supposed to be completed for the 2008
season. . . which begins when?
Answer: Based upon the feasibility work to date and the
additional work required, IF the project moves forward,
completion now appears to be at least 2 years away.
Question: Who/what will be the first event as these
things have to be planned months, if not years, in advance. At
least for any kind of quality event. Who will get to vet the
events?
Answer: Since we are talking about something that's more
than 2 years away, this subject has not been discussed.
Question: Will the Town's Arts Council be intimately
involved?
Answer: No decisions have been made or even seriously
investigated at this point regarding operating structure and
governance. However, I think its safe to assume that the Arts
Council, or a similar organization, will have an important role
to play.
Question: When is the first public meeting so property
owners can listen to and have input into what appears to be a
"done deal?"
McIver’s Answer: See previous responses. I take strong
exception to the inference that this is a "done deal".
Adequately investigating all the issues and facets of such an
undertaking is the only responsible way to proceed. Until these
issues and aspects are quantified so that one can intelligently
answer questions- like what's the cost- it is irresponsible to
solicit the public's input. Like many of the questions you are
raising, the public deserves full information before they can
render an informed opinion. My only goal at this point is to
make sure we gather all relevant information before we ask for
the public's input.
The following is the portion of the Arts
Council article which appeared in the October, 2006 issue of
TALK and is applicable to the proposed amphitheatre. This is the
portion Council Member McIver received and approved as mentioned
in the first question of this article.
Programs for the forthcoming season and a presentation on the
possibility of an amphitheatre in Freshfields by Town Council
Member Don McIver highlighted the September 7 meeting.
McIver emphasized that the idea for an amphitheatre at this
point is just that—an idea. Nothing concrete has been done, no
plans drawn-up nor vetted. The Town Council has put $50,000 into
this year’s budget for a potential feasibility study to see if
an open-air, seasonal structure would be a valuable addition to
the cultural scene on Kiawah, Seabrook and Johns Islands. McIver
has discussed the possibility with Buddy Darby, developer of
Freshfields, who has tentatively agreed to donate land in
Freshfields for the proposed project. Taking into consideration
the Low Country climate, he felt that such a structure could be
used April through October.
A non-profit community development corporation controlled by one
or more municipalities may be formed in South Carolina. Such a
corporation is usually able to secure grants and loans for
funding the construction. McIver said that he hoped to be able
to put together a task force with representatives from the three
islands which would look at this sort of ownership. The Seabrook
Town Council has appointed Jim Gearhart to spearhead the project
for that island. We have learned that you need a good management
company to acquire the entertainment you want, McIver said. SMG
manages the North Charleston facility and has been approached to
discuss an amphitheatre. There will be an October meeting with
FTL, a design firm specializing in entertainment structures.
They are donating their time and expenses to investigate the
viability of an amphitheatre in this area.
McIver reiterated this was a dream of his he felt would improve
the “quality of life for the Low Country.”
During the discussion period that followed, an Arts Council
Member questioned the true value of an open-air structure,
citing the heat, humidity, bugs and additional expense to
maintain instruments used in productions. Amplification needed
for the events would have to be replaced often because of the
heat and humidity. The piano in an orchestra would have to be
retuned during intermission because of climactic conditions. The
member recommended if such a structure were to be built that it
should be enclosed and be able to be used year-round since the
Arts Council plans its events from October to April. |
