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New Focus Could be Ahead for Festival Hall, Memorial Hall

Nov. 26, 2023 10:45a

(WGTD)---City officials in Racine appear ready to address what’s become a sore spot for many residents.

A city council committee Monday night will consider hiring a new company to manage a pair of city-owned sites, Festival Hall and Memorial Hall.

When it first opened, Festival Hall, in particular, was the site of many public events run by various non-profits.

In recent years, the emphasis, under a management company called VenuWorks, seemed to shift toward a money-making focus. The move rankled many residents.  

While details weren’t available because of the holiday, council members Monday are expected to consider a proposal from Racine-based 5k Events.

A one-page summary that’s included in the packet for the Finance and Personnel Committee meeting says the company will strike up local partnerships with the goal of bringing more business back to the properties. It also says that 5k Events will retain at least some key employees from VenuWorks.

The management contract is worth up to $150,000 annually 

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