Letter to Editor: Culture Park Resurrection

By Steve Segner —

Sedona, AZ –Before we go down the road of the old Culture Park’s resurrection, let’s ask some simple business questions.

Ownership and Financing

Ownership: Determining whether the city or the new group will own the venue is crucial for establishing legal and financial responsibility.

Financing: Identifying funding sources for the new center, including the total cost estimate, will clarify financial feasibility and commitment.

Parking, Accessibility, and Operational Costs. And where will the money come from. Taxpayers, bonds, or private funding?

Parking and Accessibility: Plans for accommodating 2,000 to 3,000 cars, including land scraping, paving, and installing ADA-compliant walkway ramps with safety lighting, and let’s not forget Zoning will mandate paved parking for a venue that will only be in operation several months a year.

Operational Costs: Understanding the ongoing costs and strategies for covering potential deficits is necessary for long-term sustainability.

Management, Usage, and Environmental Impact

Management: Determining who will manage the venue and pay the associated costs.

Weather Considerations: Addressing the limited usability due to weather conditions is vital for planning and maximizing the venue’s potential, summer heat and afternoon rain, winter too cold.

Noise and Traffic: Solutions for mitigating sound issues and traffic congestion, especially given the proximity to residential areas, are critical for community acceptance; what will the development impacts be, and will they be acceptable to the citizens of Sedona?

Demand and Alternatives: Assessing the market for such a venue, considering local and out-of-town visitors, and determining the availability of alternatives are crucial in justifying the project.

Existing Facilities: Evaluating why current local entertainment options, such as the high school theater, are underused can provide insights into demand and potential success.

City Development Plans: Understanding how the event center fits into broader city development plans, including housing and land use, is essential for aligning with community goals and needs.

Community and Economic Considerations

Community Support: Gauging whether Sedona residents would support a bond or new taxes to rebuild the park and absorb losses is crucial for community backing.

Economic Impact: Considering the logistical challenges of bringing in event vendors and the competition with Phoenix and Flagstaff venues can help evaluate economic viability. Does the city of Sedona or its hotels need the extra weekend business? Do the locals want more traffic on weekends?

Addressing these questions requires thorough research, community engagement, and strategic planning. Engaging with stakeholders, including city officials, potential users, residents, and financial experts, will be critical in developing a well-rounded and supported plan for the event center.

A comprehensive design plan

For the city-owned Western Gateway, the zoning change is the first step in deciding the future uses of the area. The planning and review process will be long and drawn out, as it should be, with input from the citizens of Sedonas.

Last week, Dr. Noonan expressed his unhappiness with the city input process regarding the zoning changes. Still, a slow, well-thought-out plan is necessary for any changes in zoning and land use and, yes, long meetings with the city council and planning and Zoning. The city has a state-mandated process for zoning changes. Dr. Noonan would be better off working with city staff than going off and trying to do an end run with a citizen’s specificity.

The city’s job is not to do what a group of citizens want but to do what the elected officials think is best for the health and safety of citizens and visitors of Sedona.