WARREN Revenues on rise at Packard hall

Revenues have increased, including that generated from ticket and concession sales.
By AMANDA C. DAVIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Things are looking up at Packard Music Hall where officials have undertaken intensive planning to make the facility more marketable.
Total revenues for this year are nearing $35,000, three times more than last year at this time and more than twice that of 2000.
This includes rentals of the municipal hall, concessions, catering and alcohol sales.
Officials say a number of factors play into the increase.
Just this year the hall expanded its concession offerings through a food service license and obtained a liquor license.
Marketing and advertising are being stepped up, and music hall officials say possible future events could be centered on Halloween, Christmas and Mardi Gras.
A foundation is also being established to help raise money, and Music Hall Manager Christopher Stephenson said it needs between $25,000 and $50,000 for start-up.
A box office is expected to be ready to go by fall for in-house professional ticketing services.
Packard Band trustees looked over drawings Thursday for upgrades at the music hall.
Jim Olsavsky of Olsavsky Jaminet Architects in Youngstown is working with the group on plans and said bids for the box office were opened Tuesday.
Recommendations: He and trustees are recommending the city's board of control accept the apparent low bids from DJ Porter Co. Inc. of Austintown for $46,350 for general contracting, and Tickets.com Inc. for $16,274 for technology including hardware, software and training.
The next higher bid for contracting was from L.E.C. Inc. of Hubbard for $48,670 and Choice Ticketing Systems bid $42,636 for technology.
Olsavsky said he checked out the bid proposals and assured trustees that Tickets.com would provide everything needed, even though its bid was so much lower.
Trustees also looked over drawings to expand the outdoor Packard Band shell, convert the boardroom into a band library and make offices into a board and multipurpose room.
"I'm very impressed with the improvements we've been able to make in a short time," said John Bentz, trustee president. "We're heading in the right direction."
Move toward self-sufficiency: The city has decreased its music hall subsidy in recent years and last year charged Packard officials to come up with a way to be self-sufficient.
Community brainstorming sessions were held and consultants were hired to outline goals.
A state performance audit that hasn't been made public yet began in 2000 before intensive planning began at the hall. It makes suggestions similar to efforts already under way.
Understaffed: One suggestion is that the music hall is understaffed and should use part-timers and volunteers.
One position remains unfilled since the city slashed the budget and laid off personnel in 2000.
Stephenson said that position needs to be filled.
Trustee Ray Bagaglia said he sees a need for another person, and Trustee Linda Metzendorf said the workload is "physically taxing" for the short staff.
Music hall improvements are part of the city's request for state capital funds, and Bentz said he wants to see if U.S. legislators can help secure federal money.
The hall also plans to seek Community Development Block Grants to make upgrades in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The board will make a presentation soon to city council to give an update on progress.
davis@vindy.com