Management shift proposed for Ashland's Paramount Arts Center

With that lease expiring Dec. 31, the City of Ashland’s Board of Commissioners unanimously passed the first reading of a contract agreement with VenuWorks and AP3 LLC to takeover operations and management of the theater for a five-year term.

According to its website and from information provided by the City of Ashland, VenuWorks operates several entertainment venues across the United States, including numerous performing arts centers, arenas, stadiums and conference centers.

According to contract notes on the Board of Commissioners agenda, in exchange for management, the city will provide VenuWorks and AP3 LLC with startup funds for the first six months — totaling $322,500 for operations, management, travel and ongoing facility costs.

The agenda noted those startup funds would “support initial staffing, operations, marketing, box office functions and essential facility costs necessary to relaunch event activity.�

According to City Attorney Andrew Wheeler, those startup costs will be paid entirely through interest collected on a $25 million state appropriation given to the city for the construction of the Ashland Conference Center — which will neighbor the Paramount Arts Center once complete. 

Through the proposed agreement, AP3 and VenuWorks would immediately assume the operational management duties but still allow the Paramount Board to transition into an advisory role position.

While commissioners unanimously approved the first reading of the contract last Thursday, the city issued a press release the following evening, stating despite numerous discussions previously held between the Paramount Board, city representatives, VenuWorks and AP3, the Paramount Board issued a letter to the city just hours before the called meeting disapproving the proposed management model.

“Throughout these conversations, the City made its intentions clear,� the release continued, “to collaborate with the Paramount Non-Profit Board to develop a new, sustainable operational model that protects the Paramount facility for generations to come,� and the continuance of the above mentioned longstanding community programs.

Commissioner Sonny Martin said he believed the board hadn’t been given enough time to properly review the Paramount Board’s letter and suggested the second — and final — vote on the matter be pushed to Dec. 11.

Per the release, the commission agreed and have postponed the final vote to “ensure that adequate public input can be gathered and that perspectives from all affected parties are fully considered.�