DEPARTMENT: Department for Culture & Creative Development
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Felix N. Padrón
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 allocated funds and based on input from on-site and nearby stakeholders.
Staff has met with area stakeholders to solicit input on initial design for removal and replacement of the Maverick Plaza Wall. Based upon stakeholder feedback, preliminary designs have been enhanced and expanded to the walkways adjacent to Alamo Street. The new design consists of replacing concrete, pavers and lighting to aesthetically connect Maverick Plaza to Alamo Street. The new designs have been reviewed and are supported by area stakeholders.
The new designs have increased the projected budget beyond the original $200,000.00 amount allocated in the FY 2015 Budget to a total of $450,000.00. The San Antonio Conservation Society (SACS) has agreed to provide $125,000.00 in funds from the SACS La Villita Preservation Fund. This fund is comprised of NIOSA revenues specifically dedicated to preservation and enhancement projects at La Villita. The Community and Visitor Facilities Fund will allocate $125,000.00 from savings from the FY 2015 Budget.
ISSUE:
The City has completed preliminary designs for the Maverick Plaza Wall/Entrance Enhancement Project, including a new and enhanced project scope. The projected budget, with enhanced scope, exceeds the allocated funds. The San Antonio Conservation Society has agreed to provide $125,000.00 from the SACS La Villita Preservation Fund and the Community and Visitor Facilities Fund will allocate $125,000.00 from savings from the FY 2015 Budget to ensure the project is completed to include the stakeholders' input to the design.
ALTERNATIVES:
If this ordinance is not authorized, the San Antonio Conservation Society funds will not be available to complete the enhanced Maverick Plaza Wall/Entrance Enhancement Project. A more limited project will be completed in FY 2015, limited solely to the wall; and improvements to Alamo Plaza Walkway will be delayed until future funding is allocated.
FISCAL IMPACT:
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.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the acceptance and allocation of funds from the La Villita Preservation Fund managed by the San Antonio Conservation Society and allocates Community and Visitor Facilities Fund funds to the Maverick Plaza Wall/Entrance Enhancement Project.