Title
Support for the Cotton Club Restoration Project (NB)
Explanation
At the May 20, 2004 Eastside Redevelopment meeting the Board discussed the Cotton Club Restoration project. Chair Filer noted that there is a great deal of neighborhood and community interest in the restoration of this building. Powell School of Business and Building Construction is writing a grant for $300,000 for the restoration of the Cotton Club and the Cotton Club committee was trying to raise $50,000 by the end of May for a grant submission. A feasibility study has already been completed and the application for the historical registry has been written.
Chair Filer declared her conflict of interest as a member of the board for the restoration of the Cotton Club and filed her Conflict of Interest form. The Board discussed the issue and made a motion to support the project with $10,000 if the request was supported by the redevelopment plan. Based on the Advisory Board action staff provided Chair Filer with a letter to include in the grant package that this item would be heard by the CRA on June 21, 2004.
The Cotton Club has been an important part of the East Gainesville community. It has served as an entertainment venue for nationally recognized African-American performers and has connections to Camp Blanding. Once complete the Cotton Club would serve as a neighborhood center for recreation, social and educational opportunities. The Eastside Redevelopment plan speaks of the need for increased community pride and cohesiveness and the restoration of the Cotton Club would meet that objective. The community support for the project is wide-spread and partnership with the University of Florida strengthens the Eastside. The Eastside Redevelopment Plan lists the Cotton Club as one of the area's historic assets and speaks about the need for special and unique events to showcase the area to the region. Once restored, the Cotton Club will provide an excellent venue for this type activity. The Implementation Priorities of the Redevelopment Plan call for the CRA to "continue to improve, develop, and expand neighborhood centers for recreation, social and education opportunities."
Should the CRA wish to support this project it could do so by reserving $10,000 from the Facade Grant project for the Cotton Club, to be used at the appropriate time.
Fiscal Note
The Eastside currently has $40,000 budgeted for Façade Grants, $6,000 budgeted for sidewalks, $7,000 budgeted for the coordinated wayfinding signage project, $5,000 budgeted for the Retail Incubator project and $83,442 held for projects yet to be determined. If the CRA approves the proposed work plan items for clean up ($10,000) and dangerous building demolition ($20,000), there is still $53,442 available to fund this recommendation.
Recommendation
Eastside Redevelopment Advisory Board to the CRA: Recommend $10,000 be allocated to the renovation of the Cotton Club, contingent upon allowable uses of the district's redevelopment plan.
Executive Director to the CRA: Recommend reserving $10,000 from the Facade Grant program for use by the Cotton Club Restoration Project.