TRUMBULL COUNTY Meetings to address music hall's future

Meetings have been called for community leaders and those who have a stake in the hall's future.
By AMANDA C. DAVIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
CHAMPION -- Public comment is being sought to help local officials determine the future of Packard Music Hall.
A steering committee for the music hall will conduct two meetings this month to address questions and concerns of community leaders and those who have a stake in the music hall.
The first will be at 9 a.m. Monday in Room 117 of the technology building at Kent State University Trumbull Campus, 4314 Mahoning Ave. N.W.
A second meeting will be at the same time April 23 in the same location.
Christopher Stephenson, music hall manager, said the meetings will address possible future uses for the hall.
College's role: Stephenson and Packard Band trustees have been meeting with officials at KSU Trumbull to discuss ways to make the hall self-sustaining.
"They [KSUTC officials] are helping us with the strategic planning process," he said. "We hope that leads to a partnership."
The city helps fund the music hall and in recent years has cut back on its annual subsidy for operation.
The fiscally troubled city agreed this year to help fund the hall to the tune of $75,000 through June 30.
Stephenson said the hall will operate for the first half of this year on that partial subsidy and with revenues generated from hall rentals.
City officials have said they will allocate another $75,000 for the second half of the year if Packard officials come up with a plan to show they can operate the hall without the city's help.
By invitation: Because of limited space, Stephenson said, invitations for the meetings have been issued to community leaders and interests that use the music hall.
It would be a good idea if Packard and KSUTC officials were to solicit ideas from the larger general public at a later date, he noted.
Information from the first meeting will be reviewed and compiled for the second meeting, at which time findings will be discussed.
Packard trustees and Dr. David Allen, KSUTC dean, have been discussing ways to create more business for the music hall and drive up revenues.
Discussion has included the possibility that KSUTC could use the hall for some events.