This is an artist's rendering of York's art museum, YOMA, a proposed nine-story mixed-use building. Architects plan to use green design and construction to make YOMA energy efficient and LEED-certified for sustainability. (Submitted)

All Joanne Riley had to do to get nine state legislators to York was ask.

Riley, president of the Cultural Alliance of York County, extended the invite to members of the House Urban Affairs Committee when she attended a hearing back in June.

"I never dreamed they'd actually come," she said.

The lawmakers not only came to York on Thursday afternoon, but they also walked its streets and snapped photos.

To passersby, they probably looked like a bunch of tourists. But committee members were interested in more than sightseeing; they came to learn about the impact of the arts in York.

The tour departed the Yorktowne Hotel at 3 p.m. under sunny skies and with Kevin Schreiber, deputy director of economic development for the

York's art museum, YOMA, is a proposed nine-story, mixed-use building. It would be built on West Philadelphia Street, where Central Market's parking lot is currently. Architects plan to use green design and construction to make YOMA energy-efficient and LEED-certified for sustainability. (Daily Record/Sunday News - Erin McCracken)
City of York, as a guide.

The first stop was YorkArts on North Beaver Street.

Kevin Lenkner, YorkArts executive director, and Henry Nixon, York Symphony Orchestra development director, spoke about their organizations' programs and initiatives.

A presentation of the proposed York Museum of Art followed.

"The vision is to create an art center in the cultural district," Frank Dittenhafer of Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects said.

He explained that the museum would be a nine-story, mixed-use property with retail, arts and residential components.

"The plan is to make it the greenest building in the City of York," he said. He added that its energy-saving design would most likely be LEED-certified for sustainability. The designation means it will meet the environmental standards of the of the United States Green Building Council.

"When is the groundbreaking?" asked majority committee chairman Rep. Thomas C. Petrone, D-Allegheny County.

"That's still on the wish list," said Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-West Manchester, as the group passed YOMA's proposed site on West Philadelphia Street.

At 4 p.m., rain showers drove the tour into the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center.

President and CEO Joe Jefcoat showed them around the facility, gave them a peak at the 1927 Wurlitzer organ in the Capitol Theater and spoke about a new music series, Cap Live.

"It showcases indie bands to attract young audiences," he said. He added that it's set to kick off in the fall.

After a brief overview of the Northwest Triangle, the city's largest redevelopment plan, the tour wrapped up with a presentation of the $11.2 million CODO project on North George Street.

Bill Swartz of CODO said the company is already interested in two other properties at 26 N. George St. and 200 W. Market St.

Committee minority chairman Rep. John Taylor, R- Philadelphia County, said the tour was exciting.

"The arts are the best way to draw people to the city,"

CODO is a $11.2-million redevelopment project of the former York Auto Parts building, 241 N. George St. The structure will feature loft-style apartments, a rooftop lounge and street-level cafe. The building, with units designed for renters, is expected to attract young professionals to York. (Daily Record/Sunday News - Erin McCracken)
he said. "There are a lot of great opportunities here."

emccracken@ydr.com; 771-2051


The Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center, 50 N. George St., houses the Capitol Theatre, built in 1906, and the Strand Theatre, which opened in 1925. The Strand closed in 1976, but after restoration efforts, it reopened in 1980. It underwent another round of renovations in 2001 and reopened Sept. 12, 2003. (Daily Record/Sunday News - Erin McCracken)