Meet Me at the Corner

Marjorie, It is an exciting time in the history of the Franklin Cultural Arts Center things are starting to come together.  We’ve been holding a series of “Friend Raising” events over the years, this year’s list of events is our most ambitious ever.  Events like our upcoming Comedy Sports are sampling of the kinds of events the center could provide our community and the surrounding communities such as Greendale, Hales Corners Oak Creek and beyond.

Up until this point our efforts have been focused on getting the word out about our concept and building a strong base of support. Recently, we started the next step and launched what we are calling the cornerstone campaign to raise funds for things like needs assessments, feasibility studies, land acquisition cost, and architectural services.

We aren’t certain where the facility will be located at this time. We are interested in the Fountains of Franklin area but are looking at other locations as well.  We would like to work with our school district and city towards the possibility of a multi facility location or a combined facility. We believe that this would be the most cost effective solution to service multiple needs regardless of where it would be located in Franklin.

Cost estimates for the facility and land are in the $20 million dollar range. This will be a state of the art destination point in our community. Our concept is based on the successful Sharron Lynn Wilson Center in Brookfield. Built without property tax dollars and totally self supporting, the facility will not be a burden to the tax payers to be built,  or for operational cost. Fees would be charged to the partner tenants. Our proposal to the school district is similar to that of the Wilson center - a fee for a specific number of days of use with the schools getting first pick. In Brookfield that annual fee is about $150,000 per year for 100 days of use. It’s a great deal for the tax payers! You couldn’t staff and heat the facility for that. Ours will be a multi function facility serving a wide range of needs from kids to seniors to the business community and service organizations.  We envision the Center to become the heart of Franklin and the surrounding communities.

Will it be named the Franklin Cultural Arts Center?  No, The working name does not reflect the regional or intercommunity scope of the center. Part of the funding plan for the facility is to offer naming rights for the center itself and major components of it to major donors.

Much as in other communities, it will take a committed individual or corporation, who shares our vision of servicing the needs our the greater community to step forward. We will be happy to memorialize that person’s generosity by naming the facility after them.  

I hope that answered all of your questions. Thank you for helping us to get the word out. We welcome any and all assistance and are actively seeking volunteers, committee members and board members.

If your readers are interested in joining our efforts or donating to the Cornerstone campaign please drop me an e-mail at ddorsan@yahoo.com or call me at 414-525-0009.

As I try to find activities for my young daughter, I see there is very little in this part of Milwaukee Suburbia.  Everything fun or educational for kids is Waukesha and west.  We really need a place for good, quality things to do for kids (and adults!).  

I would envision the Cultural Arts Center to be similar to the Sharon Lynn Wilson Center.  A place for everything to do with the various forms of art including classes (dance, drawing/painting, hand-crafts, acting, voice, instrumental music, etc.), performances, art gallery space and so on.  

Both my husband and I have music, theater and performance in our backgrounds.  It would be great to have such a wonderful facility in our own backyard.  

I would also suggest that the center become as multi-purpose as possible.  Perhaps with meeting rooms, catering facilities and conference space.  A small area could be rented out as an alternative income stream to a coffee shop or small restaurant that would double as kitchen space for the facility.  As a small business owner, I find it would be so useful to have some space for training, holding a small conference or meeting with clients.

The link I'm attaching is from the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center in Brookfield.  I am not in any way affilliated with this center, but it does provide a wealth of insight into what the Franklin Center could be.

So, that's my two-cents.  

Corrine, Yes! your right on target with our vision for the center. We have toured the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center on several occasions to learn from them.  

Please visit our website at www.franklinculturalcenter.org. We have a page with some concept plans that give you more.

Don