Wednesday, March 15, 2000
Meeting bars shelter supporters
Arts board draws protest
BY JAMES PILCHER and JIM HANNAH
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Fifty to 75 artists, homeless people and advocates rallied Tuesday at Memorial Hall, protesting the closing of a board meeting of the Greater Cincinnati Arts Education Center.
Already upset about possible closure of the nearby Drop-Inn Center homeless shelter to make room for a new arts school campus, those assembled shouted slogans such as “Hear our voices — let us in” and “Don't move the Drop.”
Not being allowed into a meeting where their fates could be decided was upsetting, said Andy Hutzel, an administrator at the Drop-Inn Center, which is at 12th and Elm streets in Over-the-Rhine.
The executive director of the arts education group defended the closed meeting, saying that the organization is private and nonprofit, and previous meetings were disrupted by the public.
“You can't conduct business when you have an audience,” said Norma Petersen, adding that Tuesday's meeting was held to elect new officers, and was in part a social event.
Ms. Petersen would not specify the new makeup of the board, which has about 40 members.
She denied that the shelter would be displaced.
“We are not moving the homeless center, and that was determined at our last meeting ... they just perceive that and continue to think that,” Ms. Petersen said.
Cincinnati Pops Conductor Erich Kunzel aims to open a $99 million arts campus near Music Hall that would consolidate the School for Creative and Performing Arts and Schiel Primary School for Arts Enrichment. The center would teach children in kindergarten through 12th grades.
Mr. Kunzel first voiced his dream in 1996 for an arts campus where professionals would work among students. Mr. Kunzel's plan has gained support with many educators and arts patrons, who are working to identify financial sources.
But in October, a group of artists upset with the possible dislocation of the shelter held a rally across the street from the Music Hall in Washington Park.
A Cincinnati police officer at the scene Tuesday said he had not been asked to keep people out, only to ensure the protest was orderly and no property was damaged.
Willie Smith, a 55-year-old homeless man who stays at the shelter occasionally, said he was protesting because he fears the center will be closed.
“We don't have bus fare to get across town to anywhere else they want us to go,” he said, adding that he can't find work because of a medical condition. “The Drop-Inn Center is in a good spot. We understand they want to fix up downtown, but they can't just push us poor people out.”
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