The document describes a proposal to convert an empty fire station into a flexible use community and art center. It details how on one evening, the space is hosting a coffee shop, art display, scout meeting, startup company meeting, and bluegrass band, with a art studio and community kiln also in use. The proposal is made to delay selling the fire station in order to explore turning it into a center that would provide art programs, studio space, and host other community activities to boost the local economy and quality of life.

1. Fire Station Flexible Use Community and Art Center
Re-imagining the potential for the Fire Station

2. Fire Station Flexible Use Community and Art Center
Thursday August 15th 2013 – 5:45 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.
Clara Johnson, Thursday afternoon's senior volunteer, and Josh Newmann, a high school
Junior Achievement member, are brewing coffee in the community coffee shop.
The bay doors are open, letting in the great late summer warmth and fresh air. The walls
display local art including photographs taken by area children who attended a week long
summer photography camp led by a couple of members of the center's art studio.
A group of mothers have a regular chat at a large table while their girls attend their bi-
monthly scout meeting in the center's briefng room.
A couple of the members of a GameCom, a start-up company that rents the briefng room
from 9-5 each Thursday, have moved out to the coffee shop to wrap up some fnal loose ends
of the days work.
Others chat as the evening's 'pass-the-hat' bluegrass band is setting up in the rear corner.
In the studio area, local handicapped adults are working on their pieces for their upcoming
holiday art show. Area potters have paid a fee to fre their pots in the community kiln.

3. Fire Station Flexible Use Community and Art Center
Thursday August 15th 2013 – 5:45 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.
Alternatively:
The fre station sits empty,
sporting a 'for sale or lease' sign.

4. Fire Station Flexible Use Community and Art Center
Why the Fire Station?
● To keep this historic civic building alive as a public space
● The building has great character
● To build on the invested equity instead of selling short
● To prevent compounding existing vacancies
● To catalyze development in area
● The building is paid for
● Its compartmental structure is conducive for low investment, fexible
scalable & sustainable growth
● It is positioned in the middle of an area where art is already
happening

5. Fire Station Flexible Use Community and Art Center

6. Fire Station Flexible Use Community and Art Center
Why Art?
“An arts-based economy can enhance state efforts to diversify rural economies,
generate revenue, improve the quality of life, and attract visitors and
investment. Rural areas often feature various arts and cultural industries,
which, with some assistance, can become productive economic sectors.
In addition to stimulating substantial employment and tax revenues, arts
enterprises are highly entrepreneurial, readily available in many communities,
and attractive to tourists. The arts also create a highly desirable quality of life
that draws businesses and knowledge workers to further stimulate the
economy.”
Strengthening Rural Economies through the Arts
National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, 8/30/05

7. Fire Station Flexible Use Community and Art Center
Why art ?
● Art increases quality of life attracting residents and tourism
● Art bridges the many cultures represented in Shakopee
● Art is transformational to people and neighborhoods
● Art in the area is on the rise
● Scott County Art Crawl in third year
● Minnesota River Arts Fair debuts this year
● Shakopee is culturally behind other suburbs and regional centers in
its support of the arts
● Organizations have established grants for just this purpose

8. Fire Station Flexible Use Community and Art Center
Grants for necessary facilities upgrades and operational
expenses as well as studio and program development
NEAs Our Town Grant – Up to $150,000 for 2 years. Can apply for
additional grant after 2 year period. Due March 2012
NEA's Art Works Grant – Up to $100,000. Due March 2012
ArtPlace - $100,000 - $900,000. Due September 2012
Forecast Public Art – to $50,000. Due November 2012
McKnight Foundation – to $700,000. Due April 2012

9. Fire Station Flexible Use Community and Art Center
Proposal: That the city wait 3 – 4 months to sell the Fire
Station to allow time to properly explore this opportunity.
● A lengthier conversation between artists & city
● Establishment of a 501c.3 non-proft
● Pursuit of grants
● Consideration of city administration
● Due diligence around the struggles and successes of other regional art
initiatives
● Development of review timeline & success criteria