Title
Art in Public Places Trust Report on Parking Garage (B)
Explanation
The City of Gainesville's Parking Garage is scheduled to begin construction at an estimated cost of between $7,000,000 to $7,500,000. In accordance with the City's Code of Ordinances, Chapter 5.5, 1% of total project cost has been allocated to the Art in Public Places program.
On February 6, 2002, the Art in Public Places Trust met and discussed how to best utilize these monies. It was unanimously decided that funds generated from the Parking Garage should be held in trust. This was agreed upon for several reasons. It was noted that the Parking Garage design includes extensive ornamentation, and it was decided that further embellishment would be excessive. The Trust agreed that there are many possibilities to better serve the expression of the visual arts for Gainesville, most notably the proposed Main Street Gateway project. Another major factor in this decision is the need to establish a Public Art Master Plan. The Trust has deemed this to be an important preliminary step in planning for the best use of public funds for a cohesive vision for the City, and it was concluded that any recommendations for major projects should be held pending completion and approval of the Plan.
Fiscal Note
The one-percent monies shall be retained in the interest-bearing Art in Public Places Trust Fund Account.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) hear a brief presentation by Art in Public Places Trust Chair Bobby Hom; and 2) approve the recommendation from the Trust regarding use of funds generated from construction of the new Parking Garage.