Title
Latino Cultural Center Ad Hoc Committee Report
Description
This report provides the City Council with updated information and recommends approval of the Latino Cultural Center Ad Hoc Committee Report.
THIS ITEM IS FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION.
Report
Summary
Through the 2001 City Bond program, funding was designated to promote knowledge and appreciation of Latino/Hispanic cultures among Phoenix residents and visitors.
In 2016, the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture secured a consultant's services to conduct a Capital Needs Assessment and Feasibility Study (Study), including a management/business plan and evaluation of potential tie-ins with other cultural resources. In 2017, the Study's report was released, which was based on extensive community input consisting of over 20 one-on-one interviews, site visits to arts organizations and facilities in Phoenix and surrounding areas, three public town halls, two focus groups, and an electronic survey with 254 respondents.
In early 2019, Mayor Thelda Williams created the Latino Cultural Center Ad Hoc Committee to evaluate and make recommendations to the City Council the following year about next steps, including possible sites for a center and development of a strategic plan, which will result in business and operating, programming, and partnership and fundraising strategies. The committee was charged to use the Study as its roadmap through the process.
The Ad Hoc Committee was initially co-chaired by Council District 7 Councilman Michael Nowakowski and former Council District 8 Councilwoman Felicita Mendoza. In late 2019, Mayor Kate Gallego appointed additional members to the committee and replaced former Councilwoman Mendoza with newly-elected Council District 5 Councilwoman and Vice Mayor Betty Guardado. The Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture provided general staff support to the Ad Hoc Committee.
The committee met monthly and, in addition, had three working subcommittees (programs and services, fundraising and partnerships, and site and operations). All meetings were open to the public, and community members could participate in any of the subcommittees.
The programs and services subcommittee advised on developing the center's inaugural community programs, events, and services. The subcommittee focused on not duplicating programming from the community. Rather, the center would be a home for artists and organizations already doing programs and events that create visibility for Latino arts and culture in the community, but additional programming could be curated if necessary.
The site and operations subcommittee reviewed City-operated properties to help narrow down a location. The Study did not select a site. Instead, it included a hypothetical site layout showing a building area of approximately 22,000 square feet, 18,000 square feet of programmable outdoor space, and ample parking. The Study found that stakeholders desire a Latino Cultural Center on par and in company with Phoenix's other major cultural institutions and art centers downtown. The subcommittee was also tasked with recommending an operating model for the center.
The fundraising and partnerships subcommittee advised setting up a capital campaign, including building relationships with potential corporate, foundation, government, and individual donors and partners to support the Latino Cultural Center. The fundraising target for the Latino Cultural Center's construction is between $8 million and $13 million based on assessments of the sites reviewed and hypothetical layout from the Study.
The Ad Hoc Committee completed its work and sunset on June 30, 2020. This final report (Attachment A) details the committee's recommendations to City Council on the next steps for the Latino Cultural Center. Staff requests City Council approval of the Latino Cultural Center Ad Hoc Committee Report.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
On Dec. 14, 2019, the City Council authorized a Request for Proposals to select a capital campaign consultant to assist with financial planning for the project, and approved use of the North Building in Margaret T. Hance Park, or another site to be determined, for future development of the Latino Cultural Center. On March 4, 2020, the City Council also approved opening a Collaborative Fund at the Arizona Community Foundation to steward funds raised for the Latino Cultural Center.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Karen Peters and the Office of Arts and Culture.