If there was any question about the Ketchum Planning and Zoning Commission's thoughts on the new Sun Valley Center for the Arts building, slated for the corner of Second Avenue and Fourth Street, such questioning can be cast aside.
"Whatever exception is necessary, I'm in favor of it," said Commissioner Curtis Kemp, in reference to the organization's shortcomings in providing six on-site parking spaces.
The P&Z gave the building unanimous design review approval at its Monday, Oct. 22, meeting.
Commissioner Sam Williams expressed similar enthusiasm.
"What we're seeing is what we'd like to see approved," he said.
The two-story Sun Valley Center headquarters will be constructed across the street from the Ketchum Post Office, on part of a property known as the Simplot lot. The building will include an auditorium, classroom, gallery, reading lounge and a park north of the building, as well as office space.
Architect Tom Kundig, of Seattle-based Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects, said that "what was so clear to us from the beginning" was that the design should be inviting from the intersection of Second Avenue and Fourth Street.
Kundig said early brainstorming for the project evoked adjectives like lively, engaging, active and transparent.
"If everything goes right, the architecture goes away," Kundig said.
The Center's executive director, Sam Gappmayer, said the concept of a new community arts building goes back nearly a decade.
"This is an incredible watershed moment for us, and we're very excited," he said. "We think it will be a long-term asset to the community of Ketchum."
Gappmayer said the hope is to have the building "out of the ground" by this time next fall.
The Center's board president, Trena Peters, said that, with design review approval in hand, the non-profit group will conduct a fundraising campaign and will likely return to the city for a design approval extension in six months.
In considering Peters' statement, Kemp reiterated the P&Z's enthusiasm for the building.
"Can we grant an extension now?" he asked.
The answer was no, but it was clear the building has met with a resounding city endorsement.
Rendering courtesy Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects
The Sun Valley Center for the Arts? new headquarters received design review approval from Ketchum officials Monday evening.
