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Maricopa Community Theatre leader tells council the city reneged on performing arts center promise
Summary
Andrew Coutts, representing Maricopa Community Theatre, said the council had "reneged" on a promise to place a performing arts center at the old police station and said the group will continue to advocate for arts venues in Maricopa.
At the Feb. 18 City Council meeting, Andrew Coutts of Maricopa Community Theatre told the council that staff had privately informed board members that the city had reversed course on plans to use the old police station as a performing arts center.
Coutts said he had warned the MCT board privately that the city might pull back and on Feb. 18 said that had in fact occurred. He urged the council to show tangible evidence of support and said MCT would continue to advocate: “We are simply awaiting tangible evidence of that commitment.”
Coutts framed his remarks around leadership and trust, urging the council to follow through and to pursue partnerships with schools and other organizations to improve venues for the arts. He said the group would continue attending council meetings and pressing the issue.
Why it matters: The comment signals continuing tension between at‑large arts advocates and the city over use of municipal buildings for cultural venues. Council was not required to act on the call to the public; staff and council did not announce immediate follow‑up action at the meeting.
