A California-based consultant last week began interviewing people who have a stake in the popular Boulder Pottery Lab, with an eye toward finding ways to keep the facility operating with less direct cost to the city.
The $26,500 study comes after City Manager Jane Brautigam decided in November to reverse course on putting the management of the pottery lab — located at the historic fire station at 1010 Aurora Ave. — out for bids to private companies.
That move infuriated lab users and supporters, who said the city rushed to find a new owner without considering how it would affect the 57-year-old institution.
Parks officials argued that by moving management of the lab away from the city, Boulder taxpayers could save up to $255,000 a year. Last year, for example, the pottery lab cost the city $276,000 to operate while bringing in about $177,000 in revenue.
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