Several steps have been taken recently to advance the Tower Center at Unity Square project. In addition to a groundbreaking ceremony held March 29 at the site, the Bartlesville City Council on Monday voted 5-0 to support the creation of a cultural arts district encompassing the site and a contract with the Bartlesville Community Center concerning oversight of the facility.
The council also accepted a $21,200 donation from Leadership Bartlesville Class XXVII and Bartlesville Young Professionals to be used to purchase and install musical sculptural instruments at the Tower Center at Unity Square. The gift was announced during the meeting, where representatives from YPB and LB 27 were on hand to present the check. The elements will be an interactive feature at the green, encouraging children and adults to experience the joy of music and art.
The groups say they collaborated on making the contribution a reality, and that the 2018 Hot Street Party served as the main fundraiser for the project. HOT Street Party was established in 2003 by YPB and continues to grow every year. The free event features live music, food trucks, kids’ space and other activities. Beginning in 2015, YPB leadership selected a nonprofit organization to benefit from the funds raised at the event. Since then, $33,000 has been raised.
“When we heard there might be a green space in downtown Bartlesville we decided to move our free block party, the HOT Street Party, to the potential location on Silas Street,” said Emily Allen-Worrell, 2017-2018 Hot Street Party event chair and YPB president elect. “Our attendance has more than doubled since making the move, and we expect it to continue to rise once the green space is complete. We know what a great addition the green space will be to the long list of reasons why Bartlesville is a great place to live, work, and play.”
According to James French, LB 27 class president, the choice to partner with YPB on the project was an easy one.
“Our Leadership Bartlesville class knew we wanted to create something that would bring people together, and the green space will do just that,” French said. “Partnering with YPB on an established event like Hot Street Party was an easy choice to make. Thanks to the Leadership Bartlesville golf tournament our class was able to provide additional funds to make this project a reality.”
Young Professionals of Bartlesville is an affiliate of the Bartlesville Regional Chamber of Commerce and works to make Bartlesville “a better place to live, work and play.” For more information, visit Young Professionals of Bartlesville on Facebook.
Leadership Bartlesville, sponsored by the Bartlesville Regional Chamber of Commerce, is an issue-oriented leadership development program that informs, motivates and increases awareness of selected participants through seminars and interaction with community decision makers. For more information, see www.bartlesville.com.
The $1.75 million community green space, for which funding was approved by voters in the 2018 General Obligation Bond Election, will be located between the Price Tower and the Community Center in downtown Bartlesville. A portion of Silas Street has been formally closed to accommodate the facility.
The council previously accepted a $10,000 donation from Arvest Bank for the space, and a $5,000 donation was recently made privately by local arts supporter Irene Reburn. To inquire about donating funds for the facility, citizens may contact Community Development Director Lisa Beeman at lrbeeman@cityofbartlesville.org or 918.338.4238.
Also approved Monday was a lease and operating agreement between the City of Bartlesville and the Bartlesville Community Center Trust Authority for the management, maintenance and operation of the facility. The contract spells out responsibilities for the facility once construction is complete. The BCC will provide programming of performing arts, handle reservations and revenue as well as work with the Price Tower Arts Center on maintenance issues. In addition to shared maintenance responsibilities, the PTAC will provide programming for visual arts, catering food and drink services. The City of Bartlesville will provide solid waste, water and sanitary sewer services, pay for general electrical use and oversee the management committee.
The council also voted to establish a cultural arts district for the area. The district will include the Tower Center site and expand to the north along Dewey Avenue as envisioned in the 2004 Master Plan for Downtown Bartlesville. The district will open opportunities for grant funding, guidance and professional consultation through the Oklahoma Arts Council.