For nearly 20 years in Decatur, Eddie Owen has launched the careers of dozens of local music artists from his celebrated live-music venue Eddie's Attic. Owen now has the opportunity to do the same in Duluth.
On Monday night, the Duluth City Council approved a short-term management agreement with Owen, enabling him to take over the oft-maligned Red Clay Theatre and turn it into an entertainment destination.
"I’m now a freelancer, I now have wings and I’m looking to fly to Duluth," Owen told the council. "I’ve never ever experienced the infrastructure in place like it is here in Duluth."
Under the agreement, Owen would offer live music at the facility most nights and possibly develop a school that would serve children and young adults interested in the music industry. Owen and city officials are working on a longer-term deal that irons out more details.
City officials are hopeful that Owen's venture will "increase patron options in Duluth during the ‘after 5 hours' and promote Duluth in new and exciting ways," according to the city's proposal. Owen's pitch prevailed over two other management proposals that called for more theatrical stage events at the facility.
"We believe the live original music venue presents the greatest opportunity," said Chris McGahee, the city's economic development manager. "We should give Duluth and citizens in surrounding areas the opportunity to experience something different."
In recent months, the north Gwinnett city of 27,000 has experienced a rebirth of its downtown area. City officials said 10 businesses had opened or relocated downtown in the past nine months, including a Pure Taqueria restaurant that started serving customers last weekend.
Owen and city leaders are optimistic that Owen's business venture will do the same for Duluth as Eddie's Attic previously has done for Decatur.
Owen opened Eddie's Attic on North McDonough Street in Decatur in 1992. The live-music club and restaurant has launched the careers of several musicians, among them John Mayer, Sugarland and The Civil Wars.
City leaders and local business owners said they are relieved that someone has come in with a plan to revitalize the Red Clay, which has been a financial drain for Duluth for years. The city has spent more than $2 million since 2004 to convert the building into a professional theater with limited success. In recent years, Red Clay has been unoccupied at times, suffering from problems ranging from inexperienced management to mold.
"Anything that helps the revenue of the city so [taxes] don't get passed on to businesses here is obviously a good move," said business owner Wayne Shirey, whose United Tool Rental shop sits 220 feet away from Red Clay. "It’s a nice building in a great location and going to do something very positive for somebody down the line here."
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