Members of the STEAM Park leadership team met recently to discuss future plans for the park. They are, from left:  Sheri Rochford Figgs, Cathi Cox, Carol Salomon, and Peggy Zemach./Photo by Jennaye Derge

Picking up steam

STEAM Park supporters fueled by vision, public sentiment

by Stew Mosberg

The idea for an riverfront cultural center in Durango started with the vision of one person. By her own admission, local artist Carol Salomon, who originally planted the seeds for Durango’s proposed STEAM Park, is “very much” a lover of the arts. “There would be a void in all our lives if there was no music, theater or art,” she posits.

In addition to being a well-regarded jewelry artist, Salomon, along with her husband, Norman Broad, supports several nonprofit organizations. She serves on the advisory boards of The Women’s Resource Center, Willowtail Springs Preserve/ Education Center and New Face Productions. However, it was her role on the Durango Arts Center’s advisory board from which the STEAM Park – short for  science, theatre, education, art and music – concept grew.

As many know, the Arts Center has major problems not the least of which is a leaky roof, poor ventilation and inadequate theatre and classroom facilities, as well as a host of other spatial issues.

In the spring of 2013, Salomon approached the DAC Board of Directors about finding a new home for the center. With positive feedback, she brought the idea off the city manager’s office as well as fellow local art supporter, Terry Bacon.

“As our discussion evolved, the idea of creating a cultural park to include nonprofit partners representing science, theatre, education, art and music, was born,” she said.
Many conversations and meetings followed with a variety players, and out of that group came the current STEAM Park leadership team, which includes Salomon and Bacon, former DAC directors Peggy Zemach and Sheri Rochford Figgs, and media specialist Cathi Cox, who also chairs the marketing-communications committee.

In time, other supporters were enlisted and have since added their skills and energy to the project. “Enthusiasm and support for developing the river has been a strong factor in the STEAM project,” said Salomon. “The economic impact on the city would be significant as has been shown in similar projects around the country.”

Public and city buy-in to get such a large project built is the biggest obstacle, but those close to the venture remain optimistic.

As part of the STEAM Park’s feasibility study, a survey was conducted in December 2014 to poll residents on their opinions and allow for open-ended questions concerning the project. Cox said 951 responses were received, which exceeded the project goal of 900. She acknowledged that the survey’s validity was questioned by a small percentage of the audience, as is typical in these situations. “But,” she says, “The design of the survey, specifically the six open-ended questions, sought to invite more extensive feedback, both positive and negative.”

The survey results and tabulation showed that the top two perceived benefits of the park were a centralized location for arts and sciences and riverfront revitalization.

To be fair, some respondents expressed concern about overuse of the Animas River such as increased trash and noise, and diversion of traffic from downtown galleries and businesses and the Fort Lewis Community Concert Hall. In addition, there is the universal concern about parking and access. Funding and relocation of the fire station now occupying the proposed site were also seen as detriments.

On the upside, along with a modern, professional indoor theatre, there could be a small outdoor amphitheater, galleries, outdoor science exhibits, meeting rooms, and event and retail spaces such as a coffee shop, restaurant and bar. All this would be in a park-like setting along the river trail, within easy walking distance of downtown.

Of survey respondents, 53.5 percent were city residents and 39.5 percent were county residents, with the balance made up of Colorado or out-of-state residents. The majority handily support the project, saying music would be the overwhelming draw followed by outdoor entertainment and a river-front restaurant. From the benefit standpoint, most (60.5 percent) also approved of the idea for a centralized location for arts and sciences and 88.9 percent believed the STEAM Park would benefit Durango.

To achieve it, however, most (72.6 percent) thought the estimated $30 million price tag should be funded privately, while 53.3 thought a lodging tax should be used.
Recognizing that the suggested site – adjacent to the existing Powerhouse Science Center where Durango Fire is now located –  might prove unworkable, other existing city facilities as well as North Main Avenue are also being explored.

Leadership Chairman Bacon believes the City of Durango’s support is crucial. “The results of the study have helped illuminate the many challenges our current site faces, not that we weren’t aware of those,” he said. “But (the survey) helped to see what people in the community thought and to see the City Council’s reactions to the feasibility study.”

Committed as they are to the STEAM Park concept, team members acknowledge they need to be realistic about how, when and where it becomes a reality.

“We have a lot of hurdles, but the team will approach these things with diligence and work hard with the City,” said Salomon. “I have met a lot of fine people who work hard to make Durango a wonderful place to live and (I) believe they will look at this project as a great thing for our town.”
For in-depth information about the survey and feasibility studies go to: www.durangosteampark.org