By Gina Long
Can the city of Hutchinson afford to keep Memorial Hall when its net loss is just short of $100,000 yearly?
I pondered that today while attending and reporting on Hutch Mini-Con, an event that drew several hundred attendees and vendors, drawing from Wichita, Salina, Pratt, and Oklahoma.
Memorial Hall is the only downtown indoor space that can accommodate more than one thousand people. Today, it hosted a fan convention. On Tuesday evening, I will attend a Community Concert, during which the landmark building showcases its superb acoustics on the large stage. The building will host a regional boxing tournament in the fall and many private events, from wedding receptions to proms and fundraising galas.
The storied facility hosts many events, but not enough to even come close to breaking even.
One reason is that from June 1 through September 30, the building is unusable because it lacks air conditioning. Many existing air handlers are not working, leaving the building somewhat warm in winter except on bitterly cold days and uncomfortably warm during our increasingly longer, hotter summers and autumns.
Downtown indoor space that can accommodate more than one thousand people and has adequate parking does not exist. The state fairground has buildings appropriate for larger crowds, and the buildings for smaller groups are not laid out for a convention’s needs.
What are the options?
In 1996, Hutchinson residents voted to keep Memorial Hall open and under the city’s ownership.
It’s hard to believe, but that was thirty years ago.
Renovations, including to the restrooms and the HVAC system, would cost millions, and I don’t see much support for a tax increase, especially with new county property valuations arriving this week. Repairs to broken air handlers to improve airflow without adding air conditioning would cost less, but the facility would still be closed during the summer.
The city has considered funding the project through STAR bonds, which would not increase taxes, but the fewer than sixty events hamper state approval for a bond district.
Tearing down the storied building is also an option, and several variations exist on what to do with the property.
One suggestion is to add more park space, creating a sizeable continuous park along Avenue A from Poplar Street across Main Street to Washington Street. I like parks, but I think this is the least creative use for the space.
Another option is to tear down the hall and create an open pavilion similar to the Reno County Farmer’s Market at 2nd Avenue and Washington Street, with park space. Such a facility would be unusable in winter and uncomfortable on windy and hot days.
The most likely option is to sell the building. Unfortunately, this risks the buyer deciding on a demolition. Hopefully, an investor would remodel the interior and add air conditioning, but still offer the space at an affordable rent. It carries the additional benefit of adding the property to the tax rolls.
Contact your city councilperson and let them know what you think. The council’s contact information is on the City of Hutchinson’s website and lists phone numbers and email addresses.
The time to decide on Memorial Hall’s future is now.
