OCR Text |
Show Page D2 — THE DAILY HERALD,Provo, Utah, Friday, May 10, 1996 turn its future around with art Editor's note: It was once described in a major newspa- per as “America’s Worst Town.” A local poet described MainStreet as a “mausoleum corridor.” With that kind of press, can Benton Harbor turn itself around? Weil, some \ patrons with deep pockets * envisionit as an art colony Hunt's first major project will be a sculpture to honor the Rev. Martin LutherKingJr. on the north side of the city. Hunt will use steel gitders that were salvaged last year during a demolition of a downtown eyesore. He plans to make his building available to community groups that needa place to meet as well as open eight-story Vincent Place, is fully occupied Then there are patrons with deep pockets committed to seeing a renaissance. Herbert Mendel, who made a fortune here in metals, and his wife, Audre, a former dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, have given $500,000 to Cornerstone By ED WHITE ‘‘!’m nottelling everybody I’m going to turn BENTON HARBOR, Mich. — Benton Harbor around. But this is a chance Associated Press Writer In this distressed townalong Lake Michigan, the symbol of renewal to test some theories | have about how arts =SOeerie with emer (Cae) contribute to the bettermentoflife.” Deter Determined — Richard Hunt to revive downtown block by block, community leaders are trying to turn Benton Harborinto a Midwest arts colony by marketing its old, vacant buildings as the perfect haven for creativity Behindpeeling paint and boarded-up windows sit commercial tombs that once made the city the { hub of Michigan’s southwest corner. The blight is obvious. Offi- it to musicians and students. Wherever he travels, Hunttells artists about the Benton Harbor experiMent, encouraging them tovisit the city and take a similar plunge There is plenty of roomto grow. A local poet, Ron Weber, once wrote that Main Street was a ““mausoleum corridor.” Although he’s Alliance for low-interest loans for artists who want to purchase property. The Whirlpool Found also has contributed $500,000. The Mendels have pledged $500,000to construct an art museumfthe community can raise $2.5 million over three years. Their collection of works by famous “Benton Harborover the years ‘Jostits identity,” said Evan LeDuc of Cornerstone Alliance, an ecoomic development group. “The 4 city still on the long-term mend. The six-story Fidelity Building, Shaped like the famous triangular Flatiron Building in New York, is “We want Benton Harborfilled with thingsthat stimulate people,” Mrs. Mendel says. “It breaks my heart to think it turned into a community tofind that identity.” Mayor EmmaHull says, “Let’s face facts: All across the country, innercities have taken the down + trend. We can’t always rely on ' industry anymore. Tourismand the } arts will bring us back.” chants Bank, once adapted as a health clinic, is also silent. The outdoor clock at the top needs hands There are no movies showing at the 1,200-seat Liberty Theater. The doors are sealed, windows are broken, but the marquee is in use: Optimistic urban pioneers are starting to emerge. Two couples — Robert Weber and Judith Jones and Ken and Susan Schultz — are buying the boarded-up Turner’s furniture store, which hasn’t seen a recliner The internationally renowned sculptor, who turns bronze and steel into art, has openeda satellite | studio inside a 25,000-square-foot building that once produced electronic components. It is 90 miles from Hunt's base in Chicago. Surrounded by his creations, 300 people, including the chairman : of Benton Harbor-based Whirlpool Corp., toasted his arrival in December. Hunt, whose work has beenat the White House, has given the campaign instantcredibility “If it seemed hopeless, | would have politely, diplomatically declined,” he said. “But I see alot ofpotential there “Emnottelling everybody I'm going to turn Benton Harbor around. But this is a chancetotest some theories I have about how arts can contribute to the bettermentoflife.” . On somestreets, traffic signals have simply been turned off and replaced by stopsigns. A few fading advertisementsdirect motorists {0 businesses that nolongerexist. Benton Harbor’s population is approximately 13,000. The !990 census found median household income was $8,866, meaning half the households were earning less than that figure. Unemployment hovers around 20 percent “Up until the mid-1960s, it serviced up to 500,000 people in southwest Michigan and northern Indiana,” says LeDuc of the economic-development group. “Then strip malls developed closer to where people lived, and a lot of industries left Despite the warts, there are bright spots. An estimated 4,000 people work downtown, and the tallest commercial building, the upstairs apartments intoartists’ lofts and turn thesest of the place into Art’s — avcoffee bar, restaurant and gallery With help from Cornerstone Alliance, they're acquiring the site for $65,000 and plan to spend another $300,000 to improve it Coffee could flow by June. “People think we're crazy,” says Weber, 47, a house designer whoreturned to Michigan five years ago after 20 years on the West Coast. “But think aboutit: We have an opportunityto re-create a town in the Midwest. This : AP Photo Richard Hunt works in his Chicago studio ek Hoot in ee ans rearimt ia 5 Premios community leaders in Benton Harbor, Mich., to revi talize their town by marketing its old, vacant build- ings as a Midwest arts colony. The internationally renowned sculptor has opened @ sateilite studio inside a 25,000-square-foot building that once produced electronic components. by Cathy Guisewite TW THE RAPIOWY CHANGING LIFE OF A WOMAN, | WHICH OF US CAN EVER | cials hope the opportunity is More upbeat these days, the down- painters such as Marc Chagall apparent, too town real estate reflects a history of would be permanentlydisplayed PINPOINT HOW WE LOOK AT ARN GWEN MmUQUTE| VERSUS HOW WE Coad | LOOK AT SOME OTHER GWEN mwUTE 2?! arts will provide a means for the deserted. The Farmers and Mer- deserted area.” Richard Huntis the first recruit. “Welcome to Benton Harbor.” The Daily Herald Sa wedding policy The Daily Herald's policy is to publish as many engagement and y Dy, bb Give Your Mom in decades. They plan to convert Something to Yourpicture orherown * Professional makeover & hairstyling- We'll suit your style *Twogrstas. - 4 Gift Certificate *Sussestcoeom California in the late ‘70s, the San ‘rancisco Chronicle hada full-page story headlined ‘America’s WartTown “Tt was Benton Harber.I'm trying tofind a copy to put upin the restaurant. I'm confident this is going to work.” from * aaa a satisfaction, guaranteed FOS SHOOTING STARS SCRETTLantestiene — Mother 2 wedding notices as possible. The deadline for submission is one week before the desired publi- MOTHERS DAY SALE} with a bouquet poet by, + cation. Information published after the event must be done so within two weeks following the wedding, anniversary or birthday gsttea, from %, Cookies CONT COOKTOP n hallipeps 375-8122 Si tenertoxsre MODEL SCD25T * 24.9 Cu. Ft. of Storage Space * Temp-Assure™ —Keep Food Fresh, Not Just Cold « Patented Crushed/Cubed Ice ‘N Water™ Dispenser ¢ Refrigerated Deli Chiller™ ¢ Easy-To-Clean Glass Surface * Three Speedstar® Radiant Elements and One Dual Element * Infinite Control Settings * Install in Counter, Island or Peninsula * Available in 30 or 35-inch Biack or Exclusive White Granite +399 MINI aaiessYhie} MODEL ART #100 | * Radial Clock : a * Upswept, glass ceramic cook Clearance Prices On Every Acoustic & Digital Piano In Stock! Saturday a oe 9:00 A.M.- 6:00 P, BERT MURDOCK MUSIC MODEL TH121SW | \ top surface * 4 radiant TempaStar™ elements * Exclusive Insta-Broil™ broiler ¢ Frameless, recessed oven door ‘699 Top Mount * 20,7 cu.ft. of storage | * Glass shelves * Gallon storage ; * Adjustable Chiller Fresh™ deli drawer ° Factory-installed ice maker ‘749 981 N. 1200 W., Orem 225-7922 Proudly Accepting ee PROVO 1700 No. State St. 374-1518 SANDY 407 W.90"So, 561-1222 SLO. 153 W. 9TH So, 328-2038 Pe SEA | POEUN |