DEPARTMENT: Department for Culture & Creative Development
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Felix N. Padr?n
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Council District 1
SUBJECT:
Maverick Plaza Wall/Entrance Enhancement Project at La Villita Historic Arts Village
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the acceptance of $125,000.00 from the San Antonio Conservation Society and allocates $125,000.00 from the Community and Visitor Facilities Fund to the previously authorized Maverick Plaza Wall/Entrance Enhancement Project at La Villita Historic Arts Village resulting in a total project cost of $450,000.00.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
La Villita is a unique historic and culturally significant facility on the banks of the San Antonio River in downtown San Antonio. In 1939, under the leadership of Mayor Maury Maverick, La Villita was restored. The initial restoration of six houses was dedicated in May 1941 and La Villita became a center for community events and home to artists and art galleries. La Villita continued to expand over the next 40 years, and in 1981 the City initiated a $2 million renovation project.
In October 2012, the Department for Culture and Creative Development (DCCD) assumed management of La Villita with the intent of increasing cultural tourism opportunities, community utilization, and the artistic and historic aspects of the facilities. DCCD recently completed a La Villita RFP to solicit a diverse, innovative, and unique retail mix centered on Arts and Crafts and delineates twenty-five locations for specialized businesses as Working Artist Studio Galleries, Galleries, and Retail Shops.
As part of the new initiative to enhance the La Villita Historic Arts Village, $200,000.00 was allocated in the FY 2015 Budget to enhance the entrance at Maverick Plaza. The project was to include the demolition of all or portions of the existing wall and replacing it with an enhanced entrance that was to be designed in the current fiscal year utilizing al...
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