November 24, 1999

Artist pictures culture center

Robert Graham envisions art and culture center on GT Commons grounds

By Justin Trapp
Herald staff writer
       In the future, Traverse City's downtown will have an extension at the Grand Traverse Commons, a place where residents and visitors can shop, view art, take classes, exercise outdoors, and go to cultural events. At least, that's what Robert Graham, area artist, is hoping for.
      "What I refer to it as is TC3: Traverse Cultural and Creative Center, and it's much more than that," Graham said. "This is based on the multi-use, multi-developer concept. Then again, if it's a single developer, I don't mind; just as long as it gets done."
      Graham has developed an idea to turn some of the old State Hospital buildings into studio space for artists, galleries, coffee shops, a hotel, restaurants, and more. It is his hope that Traverse City will utilize the space at the Grand Traverse Commons to create a "cultural hub" for northwestern Michigan. TC3 will be mostly self-supporting, said Graham, and will use grant money and donations to help foot the bill.
      "From a standpoint of good land use and developing a community, to bring all of these things into one location just makes sense," Graham said.
      Starting small, Graham's idea involves taking existing cultural organizations like the Northwestern Michigan Artists and Craftsmen, Traverse Area Art Council, and the Music House, and incorporating them into the old Laundry Building and Building 58, where the costs of renovation aren't as high. Once established, Graham believes that other groups will follow suit. Robbie Carmichael, local artist and NMAC board member, agrees.
      "I think it just takes getting it started," Carmichael said. "I think if someone gets it started it will mushroom - one group will do it, then another and another. It's a project waiting to happen, but the money has to come forth."
      Despite the large cost of renovating many of the buildings, money is an issue that has not yet been dealt with by Graham, who first wants to develop an accessible plan, then present it to the community for support.
      A recent study, "The Grand Traverse Region Community Cultural Plan," was released in September, and shows that a majority of the community both supports the arts and believes in expanding them. The Cultural Plan's Steering Committee consisted of over a dozen local organizations, and the study was in part conducted by Rich Odell and AMS Planning and Research, based in Missouri.
      Graham believes this study is a good indicator that the community would support a concept like TC3. Moving from Saginaw where he saw the demolition of many historic buildings, Graham decided upon moving to the area, the Grand Traverse Commons should be utilized and preserved as much as possible.
      "I love old architecture," Graham said. "It's a flaw I have, but I'm not a purist or preservationist, per say. I think you should do what best fits the architecture and best fits the area.
      "With Building 50, I think it's imperative that people start looking at water-based concepts. In other words, come up with concepts that are going to fit the space instead of altering the building, since that becomes cost prohibitive."
      Eventually, Graham would like to convert much of the Grand Traverse Commons into a combination of retail and cultural venues, including studios available for artists wishing to rent, an auditorium, shops, museums, restaurants, and even a hotel.
      Presently, however, Graham is looking for volunteers, donations, other interested individuals to help with the TC3 plan.
      "I think the possibilities are endless here," Graham said, "and I think you can get good uses out of it. You have to raise the bar, because everything is dependent on those first uses, and if you bring in something that serves the need of the people and creates activity up here, the people will really enjoy it."
      For more information, call Robert Graham at 264-0001.