Published: August 22, 2008 10:08 pm      

Backers of arts district turn out at Frostburg meeting

Mayor, council members have expressed support

FROSTBURG — There was no shortage of people who wanted to express their support for an arts and entertainment district in the city at Thursday’s public meeting of the mayor and council and to encourage the elected officials to officially support the application when they next meet Sept. 18.

Mayor Arthur Bond and the four council members have already expressed verbal support for the effort. A draft letter with a Sept. 18 date is ready to be sent with the city’s official stamp of approval. In that letter, Bond offers his “unqualified endorsement” of the 98-acre, irregularly shaped district with tentacles reaching out in various directions to include Frostburg State University, the railroad depot and Frostburg Museum among other artsy, crafty locations.

The establishment of the special district will allow for tax breaks and other incentives at buildings used for arts and entertainment purposes.

Among those speaking Thursday were:

• Stephen Spahr, a vice president at Frostburg State University, said the university is committed to extend the economic development opportunity of the district and looks forward to having a presence in the Lyric Building on Main Street.

• Bill Mandicott described himself as an arts advocate and said the choice to put arts at the heart of revitalization is already paying off for the city.

• Andrea DePalatis, owner of Spectrum Design Services, said she has been a witness to and a participant in the process of establishing an arts and entertainment district and thanked Andy Vick, executive director of the Allegany Arts Council, for proposing it and being a guide.

• Sean Henry, representing the Frostburg Museum, echoed the glowing support and was thankful that the museum is included in the district boundaries. He said visitation this summer has been “incredible” and that he expects it will increase once the district is established.

• Barry Winters, owner of General Arts Store on Main Street, said he has devoted one-third of his retail space for use as a gallery featuring a new local artist each month.

• Alice Skidmore of St. John’s Episcopal Church said an arts gallery has been established there in honor of the late Sen. Glenn Beall.

• Ann Townsell, one of many who helped construct the application, said she anticipates the energy generated by the arts and entertainment district to be easily discerned six months from now.

• Amy Griffith, owner of Frostburg Dance Academy, said she has personal experience about how families coming to Frostburg for arts and entertainment reasons boost the economy. “Parents would drop their kids off for dance and then go to town to shop,” she said.

City Administrator John Kirby said he expects a decision about the application before the end of the year.

Contact Michael A. Sawyers at msawyers@times-news.com.