History
A Brief History
- April 1992: The Parker Cultural Commission is formed and community events are offered. Initial events include Concerts in the Park and Images of Parker Art Show.
- Dec. 1995: The Town of Parker purchases the Mainstreet Center to house cultural and recreation programs and to preserve an important historic building.
- 2001-2002: Study is conducted on the potential expansion/renovation of the Mainstreet Center into a modern performance facility. The council declines to explore further at that time due to cost.
- 2004-2005: Meetings occur between the Town of Parker, Douglas County Libraries and Douglas County School District on possible partnership for an arts center. The groups jointly commission a study on partnership for property to the west of Parker’s Town Hall.
- March-June 2006: The Town purchases land west of Town Hall in two parcels for the future development of an arts center, library and retail shops.
- 2006-2007: Representatives from the Town of Parker and Douglas County Libraries meet regularly to discuss planning and funding. The School District declines further involvement. The Town and Library create a Cultural Authority for joint planning for the site and explore options for funding the construction.
- March 2007: The Parker Cultural Arts Center business plan is prepared for the Town by Webb Management Services.
- Aug. 2007: An architectural competition is held by the Cultural Authority. Semple Brown Design and Humprhries Poli Design teams are selected.
- Nov. 2007: The Library puts the funding issue for the new library on the ballot. It does not pass.
- Jan. 2008: The Town decides not to place the arts center item on the ballot as previously planned, after the library failure. Parker Town Council considers alternative funding options for an arts center.
- July 2008: The Council authorizes proceeding with the design of the arts center project from existing funds and plans for a $21.7 million construction budget through the issuance of certificates of participation. The Library puts the new library issue on Nov. 2008 ballot.
- Nov. 2008: The second library ballot issue for funding fails.
- Nov. 2008: The Greater Parker Foundation is incorporated. This nonprofit serves as an umbrella for fundraising for the Parker Arts, Culture and Events (PACE) Center, as well as other projects.
- July 2009: The Council approves the certificate of participation transaction to jointly fund the PACE Center and a new police station in Parker.
- April 2010: Groundbreaking takes place for the PACE Center.
- Fall 2011: PACE Center opens!
|
|