by Kirby Lindsay, posted 6 June 2011
The Fremont Chamber of Commerce held its monthly Board of Director’s meeting on the last Wednesday of May. The Board discussed its business, but the guest reports contained much information worth consideration.
Chihuly Museum at Seattle Center
Michael Tobiason and Britt Cornett, of Chihuly Studio, came to distribute information – and renderings – of a planned development for a permanent exhibition of the art works of Dale Chihuly on the Seattle Center campus.
Tobiason explained that inspiration for the exhibit came as it became evident that the Fun Forrest at Seattle Center would fail, and need to be replaced. The Wright Family own the Space Needle (and the property beneath it) and “wanted something to enliven the space and draw attention,” according to Tobiason.
“Dale was delighted,” Tobiason reported, when asked to consider an exhibition center. The political process proved to be challenging, but the City Council has approved the plan with a 9 – 0 vote in favor.
After all, the Seattle Center must raise 2/3rds of its own budget, and the Chihuly exhibit will pay rent between $350, 000 to $500,000 a year, plus royalties and admission fees collected. The projections have “over $1 million to go in the coffers,” according to figures presented by Tobiason, with the Wright family underwriting some development costs.
Cornett presented renderings of the proposed structure, which “pretty much encompasses the footprint of the Fun Forrest,” and includes 9 individual galleries, to accommodate Chihuly’s large works as well as small ones. The building has three towers, of 43’, to make it visible from a distance, and a ‘garden’ space with a cathedral feel – one of Chihuly’s fascinations.
Admission prices, potentially, will range between $12 and $15, for full access. They plan to offer free admission to community groups through City programs. The timeline, Cornett said, has proposed the opening of the exhibition building in spring of 2012, as part of the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Seattle Center.
Hotel/Hotel in Fremont
Lee Kindell gave information on his proposed hotel/hostel, at 3515 Fremont Avenue North. With permits, and the City process, he reported, “everything is running smoothly, and ahead of schedule.” Renovation continues of the floor above the Dubliner Pub, to create accommodations that “bridge the gap between a hotel and a hostel.” Kindell already operates City Hostel Seattle, which took the title of ‘Top Hostel in North America’ for 2010. He invited anyone curious about what he plans to tour the City Hostel facility downtown.
He is, “really excited about being here,” and currently anticipates a mid-July opening. The hotel will have 28 rooms, and when asked about room rates, Kindell insisted that he intends to keep the cost reasonable – with the largest, nicest room still below $100.
Kindell also answered another questioner by saying that The Dubliner plans to stick around. Kindell acknowledged the lack of parking, but explained that he will encourage guests to come by bike and bus, and offer bikes for rent to guests during their visits.
Fremont Fair Cometh
“It’s full throttle from here on out,” admitted Phil Megenhardt, during his report – on May 25th – on the Fremont Street Fair, which his company, Bold Hat, produces for the Fremont Chamber.
He reported that the number of vendors for the Fair will be down this year, deliberately. They have said no to some vendors, he explained, as they try to shift the quality. “We had to jury them a lot tighter,” he said, as they lower the number of booths selling similar products. This was, “something we feel strongly about,” he said, as the reputation of the Fair “is not good among craft vendors.”
He also spoke to efforts to make a clearer distinction between the Solstice Parade – produced by the Fremont Arts Council – and the Fair, “and trying to focus on what is happening at the Fair.”
They have scheduled the main stage to play later, until 10p, and worked to raise the quality of the bands playing the entire weekend. They’ve also given a focus on Sunday at the Fair to Dads & Dogs. “We want to own Father’s Day,” Megenhardt pronounced. PCC Natural Markets will sponsor a grilling competition. Also, a Puppy Parade will promenade along the fairgrounds starting at 2:30p on Sunday.
Megenhardt also reported that the Washington State Liquor Control Board has announced a crackdown on open containers of alcohol along the parade route, so he advised, “do your due diligence!” Also, expect the Seattle Fire Department to work with businesses that set up beer gardens during Fair weekend, to make sure they are up to code and have safety plans.
A long list of other matters also came up at the meeting – including the eminent arrival of frozen yogurt to the storefront previously occupied by Finch & Sparrow. To learn more about matters of the Chamber, attend an upcoming meeting. Meetings take place at 8 a.m. on the last Wednesday of each month (in June, held on the 29th) at History House (790 N 34th St.) Hope to see you there soon!
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©2011 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.