Those renovations will allow the Wintergreen Arts Center to re-open for business around the beginning of 2010, which is very important to both the Arts Center and our community.
As a city and community, we see this investment as another economic development catalyst for downtown revitalization plans and actions being implemented through recent Community Development Block Grant efforts and funding. From a city perspective, when we increase the vitality and excitement in our community’s core, we further enhance the perception of our community as a place of destination and as a great place to live, work and play.
In a separate article, which appeared in last week’s edition of the Star-Herald, hopefully you noticed that the city’s Recreation Department has partnered in bringing to the community an exciting and vital after school arts and crafts program for the community’s youth. In order for that partnership to proceed and grow, Wintergreen Arts Center must be re-opened for the provision of that program by the first of January, 2010. This combined loan by the Development Commission and the city will assure that this circle is completed.
Also, in the spring of 2010, the city will be making substantial additional improvements to the large parking area behind Main Street and along Riverside Drive, which will benefit both the Main Street businesses, as well as the Wintergreen Arts Center clients. Again, we believe that “the rising tide carries all the boats” and that these sorts of investments will continue to raise the perception of Presque Isle as a good area for investment and economic growth.
The Wintergreen Arts Center was started in 2006 and is a non-profit corporation based in Presque Isle with a wonderful mission “to enrich the lives of people of all ages with art and art education of all styles and types”. They have developed and operate programs that include art classes, fun events and field trips for students of all ages, including adults.
As we mentioned previously in this article, this financial investment by the city of Presque Isle and the Northern Maine Development commission is in the form of a loan and is not a direct grant of funds. Wintergreen Arts Center will begin repaying this loan almost immediately and the repayment dollars will become available for future injection into other worthy ventures.
Finally, we want to mention that Wintergreen Arts Center will continue its enthusiastic fund-raising efforts and that they are having a noteworthy “celebration” called Octoberfest, which will be held on October 24th starting at 7 p.m. at the Shrine Club in Presque Isle. Hope you can attend and show your support for this exciting and vibrant organization within our community. They are an integral part of the fabric of our community, which makes this a great place to live.
As always, if you have any thoughts or comments regarding the planning and development efforts of the City, please let us know. We’re on the 2nd floor of city hall or by calling 764-2527. Have a great fall!
Ken Arndt is director of Planning and Development Department with the city of Presque Isle.
