Title
Approval to Support The Washington Center for the Performing Arts Department of Commerce, Building for the Arts Grant Application
Issue:
Whether the City of Olympia will use funding allocated to the performing arts center siding repair as the 80 percent match for a Department of Commerce Grant Application being submitted by the Washington Center for the Performing Arts (WCPA).
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager's Recommendation:
Move to support the Washington Center for the Performing Arts Grant Application through approval of the grant match and submittal of a recommendation survey to be signed by the Mayor (see Attachment 1).
Staff Contact:
Debbie Sullivan, Director of Technical Services, Public Works Department, 360.753.8494
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Item
Background and Analysis:
The Department of Commerce Building for the Arts Program awards grants to 501(c) (3) nonprofit performing arts, art museums, and cultural organizations. The grants pay up to 20 percent of eligible capital costs for acquisition, construction, and/or major renovation of capital facilities.
The WCPA is eligible to apply for the grant using City siding repair funds to match the 20 percent grant. Applications are due June 7, 2012. A citizen advisory board reviews the applications and will forward a recommendation to the Governor in September. If the WCPA receives a grant, funds will be available in the spring of 2013, in time for the planned construction schedule.
This grant provides an opportunity to support the siding repair project and pay for identified enhancements to the façade beyond the base scope of the siding repair. Staff proposes the City support the WCPA's application by allowing them to list the City as a Government Pledge for an amount that will not exceed the base scope of work ($4.2 million for siding, roof, and mechanical equipment). This is consistent with one of the objectives outlined in the Public Involvement Plan presented to Council on January 24, 2011 -- Additional features identified outside of the City's project scope will not be funded by the City.
In addition, staff recommends the Mayor sign the attached recommendation survey in support of the grant application. The commitment of City funds as match confirms the commitment by the City to proceed with the project.
The Design Advisory Committee is meeting on May 24, 2012, to decide on a final design recommendation. Once the recommendation is determined, the overall project costs can be finalized and packaged for the Department of Commerce Grant. The Design Advisory Committee will present the final design to Council on the next available Council Meeting.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
If approved:
· The grant will help the Washington Center afford the enhancements to the Center's façade on Washington Street beyond the base scope for repairing the siding.
· The Olympia Downtown Association and Olympia Junior Programs (schools) are preparing recommendations to the Department of Commerce in support of the project and grant application.
· Opportunity to include some, if not all, of the additional elements received through the public involvement process: a larger grander entrance, marquee, ticket booth facing Washington Street, upgraded siding materials that better match the neighboring buildings, and enhanced lighting.
Options:
1. Approve support for the grant application
Provides the necessary matching funds the Center needs to apply for the grant.
2. Direct staff not to support the grant application
If the City does not support the application, staff will direct the architect to prepare the final design and bid documents to include the base scope of work without the enhancements. The additional enhancements can be bid separately in the event funds become available through other sources in the future.
Financial Impact:
The planning level estimate to replace the siding is $3,450,000. Replacing the roof and mechanical equipment increases the project by approximately $500,000 - $750,000 for a total project cost of $3,950,000 to $4,200,000. After meeting with the Department of Commerce, the City learned the entire project is eligible for the grant. For the purposes of this grant application, staff recommends using a $4.2 million project estimate as the 80 percent match value which will result in a potential award of $840,000.
Staff will present updated engineers estimates to Council in mid-June as part of Council's approval of the final review. The WCPA will have an opportunity to amend the application to Department of Commerce sometime in July.