Mayor Buckley: A win for everyone
From the City of Hornell,
The City of Hornell Common Council convened on Monday, October 21, 2024, and unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and the YMCA concerning the Community Arts Center.
Mayor John Buckley provided background on the MOU, stating, “Earlier this year, we began discussions with the YMCA, the Public Library, and the Hornell Community Theatre regarding the use of the Arts Center. This MOU is simply putting that discussion into an MOU to advance our shared goals.”
Under the agreement, the City will retain ownership and handle maintenance for the building, while the YMCA will oversee operations, including managing the schedule and event coordination. Through collaboration with the Hornell Public Library and the Hornell Community Theatre, the YMCA aims to bring more events to the Arts Center and utilize the space more effectively. “With space in high demand across all three organizations, this partnership is a win for everyone involved and for the community,” Mayor Buckley continued. “Instead of being primarily used as a rental space, the Arts Center will now host more programs and community activities, allowing it to fulfill its intended purpose.”
The YMCA will be responsible for managing the Art Center’s schedule, marketing events, as well as outreach and coordination of events with the Hornell Public Library, Hornell Community Theatre and other area non-profits, while also maintaining a schedule for private events, depending on availability. They will also perform cleaning of the building both weekly, as well as after any events held in the building. Residents can rest assured the building will also remain the site location for all voting activities through the Board of Elections.
Natalie Donahue, Executive Director of the Hornell YMCA, expressed her excitement for the MOU and partnership, stating, “We’re thrilled to partner with the City of Hornell and the Community Arts Center to bring new opportunities and resources to our community. This partnership will create more ways for residents to connect through more opportunities to host events. This opportunity will also enrich our community through shared programs and resources.”
Denise Chilson, Director of the Hornell Public Library, echoed this enthusiasm, adding, “The mission of the Hornell Public Library aligns perfectly with this initiative: ‘The Hornell Public Library is in a dynamic partnership with our community, providing information resources and services to support the advancement of knowledge, personal growth, and lifelong learning.’” She further highlighted the library’s success in engaging the community: “Over the past three years, we have worked diligently to offer a variety of programs to our community. This past summer, during our Summer Reading Program themed “Adventure Starts at Your Library,” we hosted 51 programs with an attendance of over 1,600 children and teens. The Hornell Public Library is prepared to provide many programs, free of charge, at the Community Arts Center.”
Dr. Susan Gray, President of the Hornell Community Theatre Board shared her enthusiasm, stasting, “We are excited to be joining with the YMCA, the Hornell Library, and the City of Hornell to expand opportunities to our community in a variety of areas at the Hornell Community Arts Center. Anticipated renovations will increase the adaptability of the space for new activities, as well as the amount of space to accommodate larger group participation. Thanks to all for the cooperative efforts that have contributed to enhancing space for celebrations, education, theater arts, and a variety of other events for our Hornell area.”
The City of Hornell and Mayor Buckley continue to work with state officials to reallocate additional funding for improvements to the building through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) to improve the facility. The Mayor explained, “The funding to be reallocated to the Arts Center is $780,350, which, when combined with the original award of $200,000, it brings the total project to $980,350. This will provide the support to really do the improvements the building needs.” Proposed improvements include adding a doorway on the Broadway side, façade and signage improvements, ADA compliant bathrooms, landscaping, and upgrades to lighting and the kitchen area to more effectively use space in the facility.
With the MOU in place, the YMCA can begin to spearhead increased programming and events at the Arts Center, while the City seeks funding for future improvements.
