Hillsdale TIFA committee sets April 22 deadline as Dawn Theater management search continues

The Hillsdale Tax Increment Finance Authority’s Targeted Development Committee set a Wednesday, April 22 deadline for candidates to submit final proposals to manage the Dawn Theater as it continued a search for new management during its March 26 meeting.

Chair Chris Bahash opened the new-business discussion proposing a short-term flow of decisions through the TDC to improve efficiency while the management question is resolved; he also noted a recent resignation that affected committee roles. Committee members said two parties have expressed interest in managing the theater and debated next steps for vetting candidates.

Andrew Gelzer urged the committee to hold official conversations with the candidates so the panel can evaluate actionable proposals and, if necessary, explore alternative management options. "It’s time to have a conversation, in an official capacity, with the candidates," Gelzer said, arguing that formal talks would move the process forward.

Members discussed practical issues tied to a change in management, including options for transferring the theater’s liquor license and the pros and cons of different transfer approaches. Olivia Smith, identified in the record as the zoning administrator, said she would pass the committee’s question about a candidate choice deadline to the legal team for review. Luke Robson said that giving candidates a deadline "will encourage negotiation efforts."

On committee structure, Gelzer recommended retooling the Dawn Theater Governing Body (DTGB) rather than having the TDC absorb its responsibilities, suggesting the full board provide direct guidelines to guide DTGB efforts. Smith recommended postponing any restructuring until there is demonstrable progress on management. Robson said the Review Committee could address some of Chair Bahash’s concerns this year and that DTGB will need to meet to vote on delegating a member to vet event requests and forward them to the full committee.

During the second public-comment period, Jack McLain asked TIFA to clarify committee duties in the public record and to consider holding evening meetings so district business owners who must be open during daytime hours can attend. Mary Wolfram, representing Friends of the Dawn, presented a rent-share check totaling $559.38 for Hillsdale Renaissance’s Folk Festival and said the group received a MACC grant. Wolfram said Friends of the Dawn have a working business plan and are interested in temporarily or permanently filling the management role; she also requested a TIFA point person for programming and asked whether the group could pay utility bills instead of following a 1/3 net-profit split to document more expenses for state reporting.

The committee scheduled the April 22 meeting to allow each candidate to submit a final proposal and present to the committee. Chair Bahash adjourned the meeting at 6:32 p.m.