After "Exploring" Park Theatre Takeover in Cranston, Hopkins Backs Down
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After "Exploring" Park Theatre Takeover in Cranston, Hopkins Backs Down
The Park Theatre is operated by former GOP Councilman Ed Brady -- a close Hopkins' political ally.
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The statement released from the Mayor's office comes just days after Hopkins said that the city was looking at the possibility -- and he blasted detractors (see below).
“On August 28, I convened a meeting here in my office with key stakeholders in the city regarding the governor’s Learn 365 grant program,” said Hopkins on Tuesday. “At that meeting, those attending included myself, superintendent of schools, school committee chairperson, city council president, city council minority leader, the executive director of CCAP and members of my administration.”
According to Hopkins, the purpose of that initial meeting "was to identify potential sites or facilities to house a community center using 100 percent of federal funds for programming as defined by the governor’s Learn365 plan. Those programs include education, health monitoring, and jobs."
The mayor said the result of the meeting was that this group "unanimously requested his administration to explore various options for the use of the over $6 million in federal grant funds."
“I was asked to perform limited due diligence to determine the feasibility of the potential acquisition of the Park Theater building, the Arlington school elementary building once that student population is merged with the new Gladstone school, constructing a new facility on city owned land, and possibly acquiring land and constructing a facility,” said Hopkins. “Since then, my team has been looking into all of these various possibilities.”
“I want to be clear - at no time did I recommend nor propose the Park Theater,” said Hopkins. “Any decision will be determined in concert with key stakeholders.”
Hopkins said the city has conducted a cost assessment as to improvements needed to modify the facility to become an active and vibrant community center. The cost to improve the facility is estimated in excess of $3 million.
“Due to this substantial cost, and any cost of acquisition, the park theater does not seem to be a practical option for a community center,” said Hopkins. “Although not a proposal, we will continue to look seriously at the possibility of converting the Arlington School into a community center.”
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On September 15, Hopkins' office released the following statement:
Hopkins today expressed disappointment in several local officials who have expressed opposition to an idea that has not yet even been formulated on the potential acquisition of the historic Park Theatre.
“Like the Budlong Pool discussion, people choose to stake out political positions on an issue without the facts or taking the time to gain the full base of knowledge that responsible public officials on matters of public policy should gather,” Hopkins said.
Hopkins said consideration of this potential acquisition, as well as consideration of other facilities, are in the infancy stage of discussions with city appointed and elected officials along with potential stakeholders.
“It is wrong when we cannot explore ideas without council people running to the press or posting on social media misinformation or incomplete information,” Hopkins stated, adding “it is a sad day when governmental leaders cannot undertake consideration of possible projects for the good of a community without attention seeking politicians throwing their political grenades.”
“We were not even at the point to intelligently discuss this with the full city council or public, however the concept of potentially pursuing The Park was agreed upon by the council president and council majority leader,” Hopkins continued. “In order to be transparent you have to have something to be transparent about.”