City Council members blast mayor's plan for city to buy local landmark theater

CRANSTON – Mayor Kenneth Hopkins is on the defense after three City Council members voiced strong concerns about the city potentially using its $6-million share of Gov. Dan McKee's "Learn365RI" money to buy the iconic ? and financially struggling ? Park Theatre.

“It is a sad day when governmental leaders cannot undertake consideration of possible projects for the good of a community without attention-seeking politicians throwing their political grenades," the Republican mayor said.

Hopkins issued the statement after three council Democrats questioned future city costs and the optics of potentially buying a building ? co-owned by former Cranston Councilman Ed Brady ? whose owners are $34,000 behind on its city taxes and fees.

"My interest in the future of the Park Theater has nothing to do with who owns it,” Hopkins said. “It would be a shame if it went the way of duckpin bowling.”

The response from Council President Jessica Marino: "Historic as the Park Theatre may be, it has clearly struggled to be a successful private business venture. I do not support the government taking on the responsibility of ownership of the Park Theatre.”

Marino not only panned the idea, she disputed Hopkins' suggestion that she was among those enthused about it at a brainstorming meeting. His exact statement: "The concept of potentially pursuing The Park was agreed upon by the council president and council [minority] leader,”

"That is simply false," Marino said.

She said Hopkins "informed us that he had already spoken with the governor about purchasing the Park Theatre with these funds ... My thoughts on this not being a good idea were directly communicating during that meeting."

After The Journal broke the story on Wednesday that the Hopkins' administration is considering purchase of the building for use as a community center and performance venue, Councilman John Donegan posted his concerns.

"As chair of our Finance Committee, I am calling a meeting for Monday, 9/25 at 5:30pm to discuss this. I ... have serious concerns," said Donegan, a Democrat whose ward includes one of the alternatives under consideration: a school building that will no longer be needed after the new Gladstone school opens in 2025.

But Donegan, who teaches high school social studies, said: "I think it's important that we have an opportunity to gather information, ask questions and get to the bottom of ... the bigger question: what is this going to potentially cost the city?"

"I think that this could be a black hole for the city, a money pit," he said. And "the optics are horrible."

Cranston Citywide Councilman Robert Ferri issued a statement explaining "why I believe this is not a good use of taxpayer money." He echoed concerns raised a town over by Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena Jr.

As a starting point, Ferri said, the federal guidelines governing use of these "ARPA" dollars require the money "be used to improve work, education and health care monitoring that was affected by COVID-19."

While it is not yet clear what Cranston might put in the iconic, century-old theater, Ferri said: "There is no doubt that any such programs will require ongoing funding after the capital funds are spent acquiring the property."

"The property would [also] require renovations for the proposed use, and there is little to no parking during the day in that area.  The property currently uses the parking lot behind City Hall for nighttime events.  The lot is full already during the day.

"Purchasing this property would also take the property off of the tax rolls.  This cost will be an additional financial burden to the taxpayers."

"The Park Cinema was purchased by the Dig in Dining Group in 2021.  Former Councilman Edward Brady is a partner in the Group.  He resigned from the City Council when Dig in Dining purchased the Park Cinema.  It is no secret that the financial status of the Park Cinema is not healthy.  They currently owe the City of Cranston over $34,000 in back taxes and sewer fees.

"I know that there is a [Oct. 10] deadline to complete the application; however there are other properties in the city, some of which the city already owns, that would be suitable for renovation should we decide to accept the money," Ferri said.

On Monday, the Cranston Democratic Party issued its own blast headlined: "No Taxpayer Bailouts for Political Insiders."

Republican Hopkins blasted the Council Democrats for their quickness to criticize.

“Like the Budlong Pool discussion, people choose to stake out political positions on an issue without the facts or taking the time to gain the full base of knowledge that responsible public officials on matters of public policy should gather,” Hopkins said.

Hopkins said consideration of this potential acquisition, as well as consideration of other facilities, are in "the infancy stage of discussions with city appointed and elected officials along with potential stakeholders.

While emphasizing that he has "made no decision on buying the Park Theatre," Hopkins said: The Park Theatre’s “prominence in size and location as an anchor on the revitalized Rolfe Square makes its future critically important to our community.”

“I look out my window every day at the building and hope it succeeds as a cultural, entertainment and art center for Cranston’s residents,” he said. “A dark and boarded-up theater leaves a void on our main street and it hurts our quality of life that people come to Cranston to live and work.”

The mayor outlined the steps that would have to be undertaken for the city purchase any property:

"An inspection or analysis of the physical structure and its component parts like the roof and HVAC system ... An appraisal performed by a qualified and certified commercial appraiser who would need the physical inspection report to review ... A Phase 1 environmental impact report ... Approval of a City Council resolution after public hearing and review."

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: 3 council Democrats question future city costs and the optics of potentially buying a building behind on paying taxes.