A new vision for the arts

If Elsa Hornfischer closes her eyes and concentrates, she can almost hear jazz riffs or reggae beats flowing out of Nevins Hall in downtown Framingham.

And that takes some serious imagination. It's true that back in the 1930s Nevins Hall used to showcase original productions that drew huge crowds, said Hornfischer, leader of one of several groups trying to spruce up downtown. These days, in sharp contrast, the stately old hall is much more likely to be the backdrop for a tiff over a proposed zoning change when town meeting members converge there to conduct the business of local government.

Hornfischer and others have an ambitious vision, not just for Nevins Hall, located in the Memorial Building downtown, but also for several venues around the same area, including the Danforth Museum of Art and the Framingham Civic League.

They see a Downtown Cultural Triangle.

Last week, Kathleen Bartolini, the town's director of planning and economic development, won approval from selectmen to seek a $100,000 state grant to study the area with an eye toward creating the cultural area.

The study would examine the feasibility of renovating several of the buildings bounded by Lexington Street, Lincoln Street, Union Avenue, and Concord Street, a rough triangle that also includes the Framingham Public Library.

There is quite a bit of excitement about Nevins because, with a seating capacity of 2,200, it could provide a major venue between Worcester and Boston.

"It's terribly underused," said Joan B. Honig, chairwoman of the town's Economic Development and Industrial Corp., one of the supporters of the grant application. "It's a perfect opportunity to bring activities to downtown Framingham."

The groups know Nevins probably needs a new sound system, as well as renovations that include new dressing rooms, she said, but really the point of the study is to find out exactly what is feasible.

Framingham's downtown has suffered as shoppers have been lured to Route 9 and the profusion of stores there, said Honig. It's the same story that many other Main Streets all over the country are telling. But for Framingham, she said, there is at least some sign of hope, with significant housing and retail development already in the works for downtown, which would lend some momentum to the local economy.

Hornfischer has big dreams.

"What if we could have a film festival that would last four days?" she said eagerly as she described people wandering merrily around the triangle from one revamped venue to another. "People would walk around with their schedules of what films or documentaries [to see]: Maybe it would be a contest, maybe an offshoot of Boston's film festival; what if we did that in Framingham?"

According to the concept letter given to selectmen last week and previously filed with the state, the main focus of the study would be the Danforth Building, which houses the museum of the same name. It is currently leased to the museum by the town for $1 per year, but the town can't afford to make needed repairs. The museum must control its own home, by either buying the property or via a long-term lease, before it can win financing for improvements, the letter stated.

In addition to a master plan for the cultural triangle, the study would look at what specific repairs are needed at the Danforth and how much they would cost, as well as what types of amenities, such as an expanded museum shop or cafe, could be added to boost cash flow.

The request for study money is being put forth by several groups, as collaboration is required by the state grant. The concept letter was signed by Michael Barry, president of the board of trustees for the Danforth Museum; Hornfischer, chairwoman of START Framingham Partnership, an arts and cultural advocacy group supported by state and private funding; and Honig.

Barry said it is much more likely that the museum would look for a long-term lease deal rather than an outright purchase of the building. But one or the other is needed, he emphasized, before the museum can hope to get its own grant money or donations from corporations to help fund the capital improvements. To protect valuable artwork inside, Barry said, a climate control system needs to be added to the building, constructed in 1907. Other needed improvements include a new roof and a plumbing overhaul, he said.

He also articulated how supporters plan to market the idea over the next several years -- not just art for art's sake, but art and culture as a magnet to bring to downtown more people who might stay awhile and buy something from one of the existing businesses.

"We see the renovation of the building as contributing to the revitalization of downtown," he said. "It will bring people downtown. It's good for business."

Lisa Kocian can be reached at 508-820-4231 or lkocian@globe.com.