City extends three‑year support agreement with Buskirk Chumley; council adds $25,000 to annual operations grant
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
The Board of Park Commissioners approved a three‑year lease and support agreement with Buskirk Chumley Theatre Management and agreed to continue annual support, with Economic and Sustainable Development budgeting $80,000 annually and parks maintaining a $15,000 annual contingency.
The Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners approved a renewed three‑year lease and support agreement with Buskirk Chumley Theatre Management on Tuesday, continuing operational and capital support for the downtown performing arts venue.
Under the agreement presented by Parks Director Tim Street and Holly Warren, assistant director for the arts in the Economic and Sustainability Department, the city will continue to provide up to $15,000 per year from Parks for unanticipated facility repairs, and the Economic and Sustainability Department and city council have budgeted an annual operations grant of $80,000 to the theater. Warren said that amount reflects a one‑time increase of $25,000 from a prior baseline of $55,000 and that council approval of each years allocation remains required.
"Although this is a three‑year agreement, the money that we're saying would be available for each of the three years ... is still obligated to be approved each year by council," Warren said, adding the theater is rebuilding its board and audience following pandemic disruptions.
As the buildingowner, the parks department is responsible for capital and some facility replacements. The board separately approved a contract with Commercial Service to replace a rooftop HVAC unit at the Buskirk Chumley Theatre for $17,500; Street said that expense will be paid from an energy‑related (ED lit) grant rather than the parks general fund. The HVAC replacement was described as necessary and time‑sensitive under the landlord responsibilities in the lease.
Both the three‑year lease/support agreement and the HVAC contract were approved by unanimous roll call vote: Ellen Radke, Israel Herrera and Jim Whitlatch voted yes.
Commissioners and staff characterized the theater as an important community asset. Street said parks and ESD staff will continue coordinating on capital planning and look for grant sources to reduce the city's general fund exposure on larger capital needs.
The three‑year structure is intended to reduce negotiation frequency and administrative burden; however, the agreement retains an annual council approval step for the operational grant amount.