DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie, P.E.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Council District 1
SUBJECT:
Donation Agreement with the Hemisfair Park Area Redevelopment Corporation (HPARC)
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing the execution of a Donation Agreement between the City of San Antonio and the Hemisfair Park Area Redevelopment Corporation (HPARC), to accept a donation in the amount of $464,984.00, funded through a third party, the Hemisfair Conservancy, for expenditures associated with Hemisfair Civic Park, located in Council District 1.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Project Background
On May 6, 2017, San Antonio voters approved the 2017-2022 Bond Program, which authorized $21,000,000.00 for the Hemisfair Civic Park located within the Hemisfair district. The vision of Hemisfair is to create a series of urban parks embraced by a vibrant and pedestrian oriented neighborhood. Hemisfair will consist of three parks including the already-built Yanaguana Garden, Tower Park and Civic Park.
The Hemisfair Conservancy’s main mission is to raise funds to help improve the quality and longevity of the Hemisfair public spaces. With that in mind, the Hemisfair Conservancy fundraised $464,984.00 for improvements related to Hemisfair and contributed these funds to the Hemisfair Park Area Redevelopment Corporation (HPARC). HPARC was created in 2009 by City Council to serve as a local government organization appointed to manage and revitalize the Hemisfair area. Transportation & Capital Improvements worked closely with HPARC to develop the scope of the Park’s improvements and HPARC is actively involved in the construction of these improvements. After receiving the funding from the Hemisfair Conservancy, HPARC determined the Civic Park Project could best benefit from the additional funding and will be used to supplement the existing 2017 General Obligation Bond Funding for the relocation of trees and other construction activities for Civic Park.
The vision for Civic Park is to be a beautiful urban green space in the heart of San Antonio. This park will be a celebrated gathering place with enriching and captivating experiences that draw people together and strengthen our community. It will be recognized as one of the world’s great urban parks. Civic Park is Hemisfair’s second park and includes nine acres of public amenities, including a great lawn capable of hosting over ten thousand attendees for concerts or large gathering events. Funding sources to pay for the civic park construction include $21 million from the 2017 Municipal Bond, $18.1 million from a loan on future P3 lease payments, and approximately $20 million from a combination of philanthropy and monetization of State tax rebates. Construction on Civic Park is anticipated to begin in 2019 with completion expected in 2021.
ISSUE:
This ordinance authorizes the execution of a Donation Agreement between the City of San Antonio and the Hemisfair Park Area Redevelopment Corporation (HPARC) to accept a donation in the amount of $464,984.00 funded through a third party, the Hemisfair Conservancy, for improvements to Hemisfair Civic Park, located in Council District 1. The donation funding will be used to supplement the existing 2017 General Obligation Bond Funds allocated for relocation of trees and other improvements to Hemisfair Civic Park.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could choose not to approve this agreement; however, doing so would limit the improvements to Civic Park and any additional funding would have to be secured through other funding sources not currently available.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes a Donation Agreement between the City of San Antonio and the Hemisfair Park Area Redevelopment Corporation (HPARC), in the amount of $464,984.00 from the Hemisfair Park Area Redevelopment Corporation to be used in the 2017 Bond project for Hemisfair Civic Park.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of an ordinance, and to authorize the Donation Agreement with the City of San Antonio and the Hemisfair Park Area Redevelopment Corporation (HPARC), in an amount of $464,984.00 for the Hemisfair Civic Park.