Evan Lurie Gallery incites fury, with reason
November 15, 2007
By: Jaclyn Chen <jchen@hilite.org>
Yet another question surrounding the allocation of Carmel taxpayer dollars has been raised. This time, the case involves the $4.1 million Evan Lurie Gallery of Fine Art located on Main Street. Carmel has invested $1.2 million and backed the developer’s $2.9 million loan, according to an Indianapolis Star article.
Evan Lurie, a gallery owner previously located in Miami and a former Hollywood actor and stunt man, opened last month the new gallery with his named etched prominently on the building. According to the Star, he contributed $1.3 million of his own funds to the project while the city secured the rest of the money.
Attracting a high-end gallery in hopes of increasing Carmel’s arts recognition is painfully optimistic and, for everyone’s sakes, hopefully not misled. The contribution of public taxpayer money to a private business, however, sends red flags flaring.
The city plans to recuperate its investment by selling condos in the two upper stories of the Lurie building, the star attraction of the Arts and Design District. The developer of the site projects nearly $3 million in earnings from the sale of these four condos, and the city hopes to break even with this account. The Star said that if the developer defaults on its $2.9 million loan, the city is to pick up the tab. So far, one condo has sold.
The city should have offered tax breaks, care in traffic considerations or zoning for parking as incentives, but it dirtied its hands in a private deal.
There are a couple of concessions in those numbers which should be pointed out. According to the Star, Mayor Jim Brainard said that some of the city’s contribution came from business taxes and that the city also projects the building will generate some $75,000 in property taxes.
When I first heard about the Arts and Design District concept, I supported infusing some new life into the otherwise economically lacking area. The idea, however, has warped into a monstrosity that doesn’t know when to quit. The opening of new stores frequently results in the demolition or closing of old stores, and the city is leveraged up to its nose in District projects.
Not only does Carmel have a large stake in the success of this private business, it also keeps Lurie on its payroll. The city employs Lurie — a consultant, technically speaking — to attract other out-of-state gallery owners to move their businesses to the District. Since 2005, Carmel has paid Lurie more than $100,000 in consulting fees, says the Star. This money covers living expenses for Lurie, who moved his family here.
The opening of this gallery is yet another example of Carmel’s overactive checkbook. To encourage business to open here and to beautify within its boundaries is part of the local government’s charge, and I understand that it takes money and a carefully refined effort. The lengths to which the current administration has gone, however, far exceed its rightful responsibilities and has resulted in unnecessarily huge investments by taxpayers.
Brainard, who has received the brunt of the criticism especially with the recent election, and the Carmel Redevelopment Commission are gambling with millions of dollars here. The return of the city’s investment hinges on three currently unknown individuals who will buy condos retailing for more than $665,000. Now I haven’t personally walked through these residences, but I’m betting that the high price tag will deter most potential buyers, especially when neighboring homes cost less than half that.
Carmel is also saturated with art galleries, especially in the District. The Children’s Art Gallery already holds the Guinness world record for being the smallest one; perhaps the District aims to have the largest number of art galleries in a quarter-mile radius. Nonetheless, the District has not yet achieved the eclectic, artsy vibe it desires. Obviously the idea hasn’t fully taken off, and the enumeration of these galleries fools the District into thinking it has. We are still in the Midwest, and let’s be frank, this is still Indiana – far from a sprawling, urban center.
As a future taxpayer, I hope the city’s money equips the fire department and promotes high education – I would even spring for repaving roads, but not sweeping the doormats of businesses. The Evan Lurie Gallery, even in all its architectural splendor, is unfortunately an example of just that. Hopefully, the city isn’t shooting for the moon and landing in a ditch because with this amount of money involved, the repercussions could echo for years.
Jaclyn Chen is editor in chief of the HiLite. Contact her at jchen@hilite.org.
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(Agnes Santha) I think you may be confusing Evan Lurie the composer with Evan Lurie the gallery owner. Evan Lurie who owns the gallery is not Evan Lurie the composer. Evan Lurie the gallery owner did some small parts in martial arts movies and married a model/actress who did some tv parts …
Are you sure you know him ?
First of all, Evan Lurie is a classically trained musician: pianist and a composer.
Jaclyn Chen did not even mention this fact in her article, and I think she owes an apology to the artist for that. Knowing the essence of Evan Lurie’s profile puts his venture in a more dignified light.
Investing the $ 1.3 million, which he earned with his hard work, was a noble act.
His dedication as a consultant, to attract other out-of-state gallery owners to move their businesses to the District since 2005, proves that he has taken his investment as a carefully refined effort. Mr. Lurie’s living expenses are covered by his profession as a composer, the consulting fees are compensation for his precious time he has taken away from musicianship to contribute to a higher quality life for the District.
Every day, children listen to his music watching Backyardigans, and that’s the next generation! Evan Lurie takes the visual arts as a source of inspiration for his own music and he wishes to share this invaluable source not only with his contemporaries, but he also wants to provide for generations to come. One can not call his venture in the Visual Arts an “unnecessarily huge investment[s] by taxpayers”, when it is a vital intellectual resource. Instead, Mr. Lurie’s contribution to the community should be applauded, respected and expanded by others, who understand its meaning, even if “the District has not yet achieved the eclectic, artsy vibe it desires”. Ms. Chen’s negative attitude is not helpful.
I have known Evan Lurie personally since the early 80s. He is a genuine, sincere artist and a responsible man, who wishes to convey his hopes for every human being. He is not out there for the money and profits he could gain by his venture, and Ms. Chen should not put him in this light. A little optimism would have done more good for spreading the wings of this project, than her insecurity, skepticism and lack of appreciation. Yes, private contributors are also individuals, just like all taxpayers, let’s not make a monster out of someone, who has the talent and means to contribute on a higher level!
Thank you Mayor Jim Brainard for making this wonderful project possible and building a better future for all!
I am wondering when you plan to do a follow up on the Evan Lurie Gallery. In the six months since Jaclyn Chen wrote her article on our gallery, I was wondering if you have spoken with your own art department at Carmel high? They have attended many artist lectures in the gallery and the three art walks have been a major success. Does anyone remember that area just four years ago? If only miss Chen understood urban development and the concept of districts. (which have proven their success). Go ask the owner of Art and Soul Gallery who was brave enough to embrace the concept , about his 110%profit growth last year. Come down anytime to interview us about the success of the district which is only set to take off when the new mart building is finished. Why should indianapolis residents spend their money in Chicago for unique design ideas and fine art?
Take Care