Title
Sister Cities Pavilion (B)
This is a request for the City Commission to approve the site location for the placement of an interim Sister Cities Pavilion on the City Hall grounds near the Clock Tower.
Explanation
On October 3, 2013, the City Commission referred the issue of locating and building a Sister Cities Pavilion to the Recreation, Cultural Affairs and Public Works Committee for discussion. The Committee first discussed this on November 25, 2013, and again on July 31, 2014. Gainesville Sister Cities Director Steve Kalishman expressed interest in working with the City on locating and building a Sister Cities Pavilion in a City park. The concept is to create a prominent focal point in a City park that symbolizes the City’s sister city relationships. Mr. Kalishman conveyed to the Committee that this concept could evolve to become a showcase for not just Sister City relationships but Gainesville’s many international connections. He indicated that there could eventually be a building that could house/display gifts received from Sister Cities and become a focal point for meetings with international delegations, etc.
Mr. Kalishman has sought the City’s support in finding an interim location for a Sister Cities Pavilion with landscaping and signs/monuments to Gainesville’s Sister City relationships. The Pavilion would be a place to visit with delegations from Gainesville’s Sister Cities. Mr. Kalishman has indicated that he will work with the business community and others to raise funds for the signs/monument and landscaping for the interim location. He would also like to work with the City on a permanent location that would have the potential for a future building that could also be funded through partnerships and donations.
In discussing potential interim locations, City staff felt that a downtown location was important in terms of prominence, visibility and ease of access by pedestrians, bikes, transit and cars. Two downtown locations were discussed a...
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