
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, May 19, 1990                   TAG: 9005210203
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-11   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

JEFFERSON CENTER BOON TO VALLEY, IF DONE RIGHT

I READ Jeff DeBell's article April 28 (regarding the old Jefferson High School) with great interest. As a member of one of the mentioned arts organizations, I am very aware of the inadequacies of available space for us and for other organizations. (My comments here do not reflect the opinions of the organization of which I am only one member.)

As a transplant to Roanoke from small town/rural areas with little or no outlet for theatrical people, I have seen the struggle, frequent failure and rare success of those few who try to bring live theater to their communities. I see a similar struggle for mere survival for some of our arts groups here.

Now there's hope on the horizon - the renovation of Jefferson High School for use as an arts center. But one group after another has turned away, citing dissatisfaction with the size of available space, acoustics, etc.

But "[p]lanning for the Jefferson Center has not reached the point of allocating space and remodeling for specific uses." If plans are not set, why are groups leaving the planning table?

Is the Jefferson Foundation determined that Jefferson Center will look exactly like Jefferson High School, or is the foundation willing to discuss alternatives to make space more usable for groups' needs?

What are the arts organizations' specific needs, and are they flexible enough to do a little give and take before they say no to the whole plan?

With the support of the arts organizations as well as the community, the Jefferson Center can become just that - the center of an arts-in-the-area network, providing space for the continued entertainment, enlightenment, inspiration and education that these groups provide.

The opening of the Jefferson Center, if well-planned, -organized and -supported, could aid not only in the continued growth of the arts in the Roanoke Valley, but also in the continued growth and prosperity of the valley. STEPHANIE ROWE ROANOKE

by CNB