City proposes arts center at library

McALLEN — A city plan to transform the Main Street library into a community arts center has struck a chord with members of the surrounding neighborhood who say doing so would drastically change the character of their community.

A proposal from the city administration would turn the building into a facility hosting art studios, galleries, a small stage and classrooms once McAllen's new $26 million library opens in the former Wal-Mart building at North 23rd Street and Nolana in late 2010.

The facility at 601 N. Main St., tentatively dubbed McArts, would host the McA2 Creative Incubator, an arts center run by the McAllen Chamber of Commerce that provides low-rent space to artists at a former school at 1001 S. 16th St.

City leaders hope to capitalize on the success of ArtWalk - a self-guided, monthly tour of art galleries and art hosts that takes place nine months of the year - and the growing number of galleries in the arts district, which has recently welcomed construction magnate Alonzo Cantu's massive new Art Village.

"The old library building is right in the middle of the arts district. ... It's a situation where it's just a perfect fit for my tenants," said Greg Schuller, who leads the creative incubator. "They're aspiring artists and up-and-coming artists. Any exposure they can get, the better, and that area of town gets a lot of people walking through."

Transforming the 41,870-square-foot building into an arts center would require about $3.8 million, according to Deputy City Manager Brent Branham. The facility would also cost about $472,000 annually to operate.

But at a public hearing last week, several residents expressed opposition to the plan. They say if the library on Main Street is transformed and no longer remains a library, the central part of the city will be underserved.

Built in 1950, the library is an institution in the community, and it would be a disservice to children to close it, they said.

"They can walk to the library and ride their bikes," said Jeanne Blackburn, a McAllen resident of more than 50 years.

Residents noted the future library on Nolana is at a busy intersection and not "children-friendly."

"I think ArtWalk is good," said Donald Fritz, a resident of the historic neighborhood near the library. "But it's not the same as a library."

Others have expressed concerns about parking, noting the area already gets busy during ArtWalk. The addition of an arts center at the library would only contribute to more congestion in the area, they said.

The debate over the future of the library comes at a time when residents are sparring with the city over the future of the arts district as a whole. The city is pushing an ordinance to officially designate the area as the "arts district," and Mayor Richard Cortez has expressed a desire to bring boutique stores and restaurants to the area.

But some residents say they are frustrated that their quiet neighborhood is undergoing a transformation and worry it could become a hub for nightlife in the city.

Meanwhile, gallery owners like Stuart Klein say that since the city began promoting ArtWalk, the event has grown out of control. Young people who attend the event are raucous and few actually buy anything at the galleries, the owners contend.

But Jesus Gonzalez, who owns the Niu Urban Living home-décor store and gallery at 920 N. Main St., believes some residents are trying to demonize the arts district. He said an arts center at the library's location would help keep young people out of trouble and give them a creative outlet.

"I think it's the best idea that could have happened," Gonzalez told the city's development corporation board at the hearing.

Schuller, of the creative incubator, said he envisions a scenario in which the arts component of the building could "cohabitate" with a small branch library. That plan was also endorsed by City Commissioner Marcus Barrera, who chairs the development corporation board.

"I think eventually, working together, we can have the best of both worlds," said Alida Hernandez, who chairs the nonprofit Heart of the City board, which promotes revitalization of the city's urban core.

But, she added, the city should embrace the opportunity to enhance arts opportunities in the area.

"We have to recognize the need for art is here to stay," Hernandez said.

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Ryan Holeywell covers McAllen, PSJA, the Mid-Valley and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4446.