The Butler PM Rotary’s Arts and Cultural District is forging ahead with established committees, asking for community involvement and input.

Local leaders, business owners, artists and others met at Emily Brittain Elementary School on Monday night to offer insight on the scope of the project.

Since the district was proposed in December, committees for signage, marketing, funding, events and environmental artscapes have been meeting and discussing ideas, with plans to move ahead this fall.

Tom Edwards, president of the PM Rotary, said the goal of the district is to grow and support Butler County economically through celebrating the arts opportunities offered.

“We want to enhance quality of life with new and engaging activities and spaces,” he said.

The proposed district is in the geographic block of North Washington, West Jefferson, North McKean and North Main streets, and recently was changed to include Ritts Park as a northern boundary. Signage would be posted marking the district, which would be the site of potential exhibits and events for the arts community. Other arts organizations outside of the designated area will be included in the district, Edwards said.

Leslie Osche, project chairwoman for the cultural district, said Monday’s meeting was to inform community members and grant them opportunities to add to the endeavor. Attendees were given a survey asking how they might like to contribute, and a poll was provided regarding the possible additions of sculpture, murals, furniture, green spaces and event venues to the district.

“The response has been overwhelming,” Osche said. She said the district hopefully will be off the ground by fall.

At the previous meeting, community members raised concerns about public safety measures, such as adequate sidewalks and handicap accessibility for the district.

Osche added that the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts will meet with the committees in May to discuss plans for the district.

“We want their technical support so we do things right and get an opportunity for funding in the future,” she said.

When the weather breaks, Osche said Rotary club members plan a walking tour of the district to brainstorm additions to the geographic area.

One idea already proposed was to develop Cedar Street as a walkway with picnic tables and chairs.

“You can see the whole way down (the street) and back, and it goes behind a lot of our district entities,” Osche said. “There’s no solid plan yet, though.”

“We’re looking at doing soft launches of events. Primarily after getting the main signage in place and marking off the district we want to get trial events going,” she said.

Paul Simms, chairman for for the events and exhibits committee, said his team has been working on preparing three to four events for downtown this summer and fall.

“They’re all going to be very different and cross a whole spectrum,” he said. “We’re hoping to get something for the first week of August, since there’s a lull in the county calendar. We’re working hard on that.”

Amy Pack, chair for the marketing committee, said a website for the cultural district is being planned and will hopefully include a calendar where entities can add their events, making information easy to find for the community.

“We’re in the beginning stages, we’re just starting with the committee. We’d like to get it up as soon as possible, late summer early fall, and we can roll out what social media platforms we’ll be using,” she said.

Pack added that branding for the district is a big topic of discussion.

“We’re developing a logo and how our standards will be used so it’s recognizable to tourists, residents and arts organizations,” she said.

Mary Jo Ross, co-chairperson of the artscape and cultural environment committee, said her group has been walking the district and already has thoughts on what arts can be implemented into the area.

“We’re looking at having glass mosaics installed ... We’re wanting to do walking tours about stained-glass art in all the churches to learn the history of the church and the art of stained glass. We also want to do an art class on stained glass,” she said. “We’re also looking at environmental soundscapes, like musical pipes in parts of the district.”

Ross also mentioned collaborating with churches to use their facilities for youth cooking classes, and free ballroom dancing lessons in local parks.

“We’re looking to enhance the five senses,” she said. “Our job is to look at an area and engage the human condition.”

Mayor Bob Dandoy and Jeff Geibel, president of Butler Downtown, addressed those in attendance at the meeting, saying the potential district could develop Butler County economically and the quality of life of residents.

“What you guys are trying to accomplish is no small task, but there’s a lot of power in this room. If we want to get something done in Butler, we have all the connections to make it happen,” Geibel said. “If we can make this happen, it’s going to affect everyone and everything in the community.”

“I’m a big believer that this can change the quality of life here,” Dandoy said. “The rising tide lifts all ships.”