A staircase from the second floor lobby to the building's lower level would alleviate the latter problem. Beyond those problems remains the major task of publicizing the center and its events. The building itself went up in the aftermath of the Northridge earthquake, which Pier thinks is one reason it's not better known. To increase its visibility, he will increase the circulation of seasonal brochures, count on continuing newspaper coverage of events and possibly insert an ad supplement in local papers. Also, as more community groups book the center, the word will spread, Pier predicted.
Utilization is already quite heavy.
Pier projects more than 200 uses this coming year. We sometimes have to make difficult decisions as to who gets the space. Productions are booked in three ways. Sometimes the Performing Arts Center itself presents the attraction. Chucho Vald z, a Cuban jazz pianist who had not played in the U.S. for 15 years but performed at the center last year, and San Jose Taiko, a Japanese drumming group slated for next spring, are examples.