The School Town of Munster is passing on potentially buying the Center for Visual and Performing Arts, making way for a possible town purchase.
STM said Wednesday morning in a release that it’s completed its evaluation of the purchase of 1040 Ridge Rd., for which it issued a resolution to pursue at its March 11 meeting. After looking at such items as property use, viability of maintaining current programming and services, operational cost, short- and long-term district and community needs, community preferences and potential drawbacks associated with purchasing it — such as residents voting against any future referendums for which the school could ask — its administration “has decided to step back at this time.”
“This decision reflects our commitment to prioritizing responsible and informed decision-making to best serve our community’s interests,” the release said. “We believe in transparency and collaboration, and by stepping back from the acquisition process, we enable the Town of Munster to pursue its own evaluations and determine the property’s suitability for its needs.
“Throughout this journey, we have valued the insights and perspectives shared by all stakeholders involved, and we remain committed to making choices that align with the long-term vision and well-being of our district and community.”
Munster Town Council President Dave Nellans, R-4, however, reiterated during the April 15th Town Council meeting that the town is nowhere near a decision on having anything to do with purchasing the CVPA.
“The Arts Center is still under contract, and all we’re doing is fielding comments,” Nellans said at the meeting’s start. “It’s a very big decision, and if we were to look at it, it’s not a slam dunk; it’s not readily available (on the open market), and we would have to do our due diligence and have our own appraisals.”
Don Fesko, Powers Healthcare CEO and Chief Operating Officer for Community Foundation of Northwest Indiana, did not respond to a request for comment as to what’s next or if CFNI has another potential buyer for the $10.7 million property.
Nevertheless, opponents of STM taking it over the CVPA were ecstatic over the news.
“We’re thrilled that the school district is responding to the community’s deep need for this arts and events center,” said Tracie Martin, a member of grassroots group Save the CVPA. “We’re looking forward to working with the town of Munster to make this a success for everybody involved. We’re also exploring private funding to make the CVPA a self-sustaining asset for the entire area.”
In an email the Post-Tribune obtained dated March 10, Munster Town Councilman Chuck Gardiner discussed with the rest of the Town Council a resolution to purchase the CVPA the School Town placed on its March 11 meeting agenda. In it, he said STM is looking to “move their administration center to this site” at 1040 Ridge Rd, the Post-Tribune reported previously.
Gardiner said in his email that he and Munster Clerk-Treasurer Wendy Mis had preliminary discussions with CFNI about the town purchasing the property, but since the discussions took place in the latter part of 2023, the two felt larger conversations about it should wait until the new council was seated. He said, however, that the CVPA under the town’s umbrella could expand upon the center’s arts and theater programs as well as create a program for seniors and offer meeting space and conference space to Munster residents.
Since then, hundreds of people have sent emails to the town asking it to step in and save the CVPA, while several members of the Save the CVPA group have attended every meeting since the announcement asking the same. Q
Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
