LAMBERTVILLE: Hall Foundation will host open house Aug. 12

By John Tredrea, Special Writer
On Aug. 12, the Lambertville Hall Foundation will open its doors to the community, hosting an open house at its Bridge Street home.
The structure, which had been vacant, was once the Old Baptist Church. The foundation purchased the building and now runs programs in theatre and the arts there, as well as hosting performances.
Said foundation spokeswoman Mandee Kuenzle on Friday: "We’re hosting the open house on the 12th so people can see what’ we’ve done with the building so far and ask questions and make comments about what we’re doing. All are welcome."
Among other offerings at the renovated church, the foundation has hosted a Saturday Arts Program, run by the Bucks County Playhouse (BCP), based in New Hope. The program featured classes in musical theatre and improvisation.
The foundation recently ran tours to accommodate the more than 100 people who wanted to visit the place. "We’re continuing to work with a city-appointed task force on the long-term future of the building," Ms. Kuenzle said. She added that the foundation has not filed any formal applications with the city on use of the building.
The foundation’s proposal for a music hall in the old church drew over 100 people to a June 2013 meeting of the city’s Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Concerns over parking and noise were cited by opponents of the proposal.
The foundation withdrew its application to the Zoning Board in early July.
On July 17, 2013, city Mayor David DelVecchio announced the formation of the task force, including members of the City Council and Planning Board and residents, to work with the foundation on the future of the building and the music hall proposal.
Mayor DelVecchio said the creation of the working group would enable officials from the foundation to work proactively and cooperatively with city and community leaders to enhance the proposal and create a project that would benefit all parties.
The working group, the mayor said then, would consist of: City Council President Steve Stegman and Councilwoman Beth Asaro; Planning Board Chairman Tim Korzun and Planning Board member Derek Roseman; Ferry Street resident John Woods; local business leaders, Jim Hamilton and Dan Whitaker; and representatives from the Lambertville Hall Foundation.