St. Louis County Board mulls new managers for Depot
May 1, 2012 at 7:00 pm in Duluth News Tribune
St. Louis County commissioners are being asked to decide between experience and a new vision when picking a management team for the historic Depot in downtown Duluth.
Continue Reading
All change please! Give Atwater a chance. Karwath has ideas to rejuvenate the Depot. I think if they can ID a multi-purpose venue by bringing a few entities into sharper focus, then give them the opportunity. It’s becoming stale as it is. I’m not an advocate of change for change sake but in a small city/large town such as Duluth, you can’t house every organisation into one building and do each one justice. The Depot needs an injection of new blood.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
22 
6
Something needs to be done- we were there last year when we were in town- won’t get us back in there- The price of admission to too high for what is inside- we were so disappointed and won’t go back. It is an embarassment to call it a museum.
Like or Dislike:
18 
5
I find the commissioner’s argument in regard to “not changing horses in the middle of steam” difficult to accept. What part of the proverbial stream are we in? We’ve been funding this organization for the better part of a decade and costs continue to rise. In fact, the article reports the Historic Union Depot Corp., has received sizable cash inflows from the taxpayers, nearly $200,000 in 2011 (in addition to a $2.1 million in roof renovations) from our property taxes. In addition, the county’s own study found a “disorganized management system, lack of vision for new attractions, and no potential to increase overall attendance.” Regardless, Buehler argues the commissioners should “stick with his team,” calling his funder’s own study to be “false.” In the business world, we look at past performance as an indicator for future accomplishment. With that, anyone who frequents the Depot will see the same exhibits, business model, etc., that was there a decade ago. Clearly, the organization is stagnant and will continue to hemorrhage our cash.
I believe we should support local arts and culture and, with that, I agree with the county administrator. A new business model that will benefit the taxpayers and visitors, as well as enhance local arts and culture is the socially responsible way to handle our tax dollars. Buehler’s team had its chance and came up inactive and insolvent. Let’s put in an organization with a proven track record for fiscal success, and give it the opportunity to recover this organization so these monies can be reallocated to areas that will further enhance our county-wide economic development. Commissioner Mike Forsman will have to realize that, eventually, you have to give up on the horse that can’t find its way out of the stream.
Like or Dislike:
15 
2
I took my daughter to see a play at the playhouse and the place is filthy! For what they charge for admission they could spend some money on cleaning the place!
Like or Dislike:
4 
2