A group of Freeport artists and arts supporters, formed in the summer of 2015, has decided against taking an option on a Main Street building, which at some point would have hosted a broad spectrum of events and organizations.

But the Freeport Arts and Cultural Alliance is pushing forward in its hope to develop a cultural plan for the town, and is pointing to a Nov. 16 public meeting for input in that direction.

The Freeport Arts and Cultural Alliance has scheduled the meeting at the Freeport Community Center, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The group decided recently not to make a nonrefundable down payment on the former Reebok outlet store, located at 31 Main St.

Ed Bradley, treasurer of the Freeport Arts and Cultural Alliance board and a steering committee member, said that the town did not receive a $10,000 planning grant the group had applied for from the Maine Arts Commission. But the town awarded the alliance $10,000 this past summer, and the group has raised another $10,000. The arts and cultural alliance is using that $20,000 to pay Reinholt Consulting of Phillips to help develop a plan and also to facilitate the meeting on Nov. 16.

“They know the nuts and bolts of how to put an arts and cultural plan together,” Bradley said. “This is our launch meeting. Reinholt will explain the planning process, bring in other examples and show the steps ahead.”

Bradley said that a brick-and-mortar arts and cultural center is not out of the question, but the steering committee might explore existing resources that could be consolidated for various members of the arts community. Following the November meeting, the arts and cultural alliance will call meetings in December, Bradley said. Input will be sought from different elements of the community, including government and civic organizations.

“Reinholt takes that and develops a survey for the town, to develop a report and develop priorities, mechanics and community response,” Bradley said. “It takes about a year.”

The alliance steering committee comprises Freeport Players, the Freeport Economic Development Corp., Open Stage Coffee House and the Greater Freeport Community Chorus, as well as visual and performing artists, both professional and amateur. Representatives of the Freeport Historical Society, FreeportUSA, Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce, the Art Guild of Freeport, Maryellen and Sam in Support of the Arts (MASISTA), Freeport Community Services, Freeport Community Education and the Freeport High School have taken part in discussions regarding goals for the group.

Keith Edwards, executive director of the Freeport Economic Development Corp., said that the property at 31 Main St. would have been an ideal venue for an arts and cultural center. The building, closed since late 2012, is ornate with wooden beams and brick fireplaces, and could have housed a theater, Edwards said.

“It had a lot of potential and generated a lot of excitement,” he said.

The group then talked logistics.

“In the long run,” Edwards said, “we didn’t think it was an affordable option. We had the money to take the option, but why take the option if you can’t afford the purchase? We decided to take a step back on that.”

Edwards said that the concept of an organization supporting local artists and art supporters is a great fit with FEDC’s “Vision 2025 Plan,” a strategic economic development. Freeport Economic Development Corp. hired Camoin Associates, which produced a detailed strategy for pursuing optimal future economic growth.

The goals: Diversify Freeport’s economy and employment opportunities; enhance and promote the town’s quality of life and community-based assets; promote Freeport as a unique outdoor recreation destination; and support the retail base.

“We want to enhance the experience of people who come to Freeport, and to enhance the experience of people who are living here – in this case, cultural events,” Edwards said. “With that in mind, the arts and cultural alliance fits right into what FEDC is trying to accomplish. The proposal came from my board that I become involved with this.”

A large crowd turned out for an April 2015 meeting at the community center as the alliance began to take public opinion. A brick-and-mortar building, Edwards said, was one of the avenues some people supported. More input on that concept will be gathered at the meeting on Nov. 18.

The Freeport Arts and Cultural Alliance, meanwhile, invites the public to join its steering committee, or other working groups, by contacting [email protected].

The Freeport Arts and Cultural Alliance won’t be pursing purchase of the building at 31 Main St. Courtesy photo