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Use of existing buildings and spaces. Several participants shared ideas for how buildings and areas could <br />be utilized differently. <br /> “Save historic buildings for art presentations and use to preserve a ‘sense of place’ <br />especially downtown area—many buildings are unused and prone to tear <br />down development.” <br /> “TX. St. U ‘gallery of the common experience’ could be open to San Marcos Residents and <br />local San Marcos art.” <br />“Various outdoor stages and venues seem underutilized. Ivar’s Pub, campus venues and <br />amphitheaters, Dunbar Park, Price Center.” <br />“Too many empty storefronts (40 on my last count). Owners get a tax write-off and keep <br />them unoccupied while they watch their property increase in value.” <br /> “University could open parking lots to public when not in use.” <br />“The number of empty buildings in the downtown area is in the dozens—over 35 in my last <br />walk through downtown. Can the city create a policy that punishes landlords who let <br />buildings sit empty for years? There are lots of spaces that could be developed for small <br />businesses, artist spaces, etc.” <br /> “While San Marcos has a number of small, diverse struggling independent and autonomous <br />venues hosting artistic or cultural events; there needs to be a greater effort to nurture and <br />support museum quality and high-end arts in the city of SMTX, which is not connected to <br />the local university.” <br />Support the underserved. Keen Independent presented the following preliminary recommendations for <br />how San Marcos can better support underserved communities in arts and culture: <br /> Speak with diverse community members about how to best serve them; <br /> Develop targeted programs; encourage arts and culture offerings in diverse neighborhoods; <br /> Develop and support offerings that serve families and K-12 youth; and <br /> Encourage/develop partnerships with schools and organizations focused on serving youth. <br />Open House participants provided comments based on these recommendations, which were grouped into <br />several categories as part of the analysis. <br />Children and youth. Several participants noted ways that children could be better served with arts <br />programming and education. <br /> “Program for children.” <br /> “Children are underserved in town, lets teach them music.” <br /> “Perhaps after school arts programming.” <br /> “Education needs more theatre for young audiences—more after school art programs.” <br /> “Partner with organizations that serve youth/homeless.” <br /> <br />KEEN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH —SAN MARCOS ARTS MASTER PLAN 2022 APPENDIX D,PAGE 4 <br /> <br />