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Western Reserve Community Band asks Hudson to extend City Hall lease for climate‑controlled storage
Summary
The Western Reserve Community Band told the City Council it needs climate‑controlled storage for its 90‑member volunteer band, including a music library valued at roughly $100,000, and asked for a lease extension or other support to avoid rental costs that could make the group financially unsustainable.
Arnold Kramer, president of the Western Reserve Community Band, asked Hudson City Council on Sept. 9 to extend the band’s lease for a small space at City Hall and to help preserve climate‑controlled storage for the band’s music library and equipment.
Kramer said the nonprofit, founded in 1997, now includes more than 90 volunteer musicians and relies on free rehearsal and storage space. He told council the band’s music library includes rare and out‑of‑print scores with an estimated replacement value of about $100,000 and that the group requires a climate‑controlled space to protect the collection.
“The picture of the barn is not a representation of climate‑controlled space. Our music will not survive in that type of environment,” Kramer said during the presentation. He said off‑site commercial storage options would cost roughly $250 a month and create logistical and financial strain for a group that projects roughly $8,000 in expenses for 2026 against about $4,500 in performance income.
Council members asked whether the Hudson City Schools’ HCR (Hudson Center for the Regional) facilities or other school property could accommodate the band’s storage needs; Kramer and other band representatives said they had explored the schools and had been unable to secure space. Council discussed options including additional outreach to the schools, referral to the Home Committee and whether short‑term extensions could give the band time to find alternatives.
Dr. Getz and other councilors noted that members of the band serve as volunteers and stressed the band’s community value; council also noted a conflict‑of‑interest consideration after Dr. Getz said she is a band member and was told she should recuse from any formal vote on a lease extension.
Council President Foster said he would add the request to the Home Committee agenda for October so staff and councilors can pursue school‑based alternatives and other options. Tom Sheridan, city manager, confirmed staff would return the item for further committee discussion and possible legislative action.
If the council does not approve a lease renewal, Kramer warned the group could face increased rental costs or be forced to relocate its archive and instrument storage, a development the band said could threaten its continued operation.
Provenance: The band’s presentation and Q&A are recorded beginning at 07:44 of the meeting (Arnold Kramer presentation) and concluding at 29:20 when Council President Foster committed to the Home Committee referral. Quotes and details above are drawn from those remarks.
