Title
Funding Agreement for Arizona Jewish Historical Society General Obligation Bond Project (Ordinance S-52956) - District 7
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to negotiate and execute a Funding Agreement between the City and the Arizona Jewish Historical Society for the completion of the Arizona Jewish Historical Society Renovation and Expansion General Obligation Bond Project and to negotiate, accept and execute the historic preservation easement and public access agreement contemplated by the Funding Agreement. Further request authorization for the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
On November 7, 2023, Phoenix voters passed the City Council-approved $500 million General Obligation (GO) Bond Program. Question 3 of the approved GO Bond Program authorized the issuance of $114,385,000 in GO Bonds to provide funding for education, economic development, reduction of waste, resource management, and arts and culture projects.
The Arizona Jewish Historical Society ("AJHS") owns the Cutler Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center located at 122 E. Culver Street in Phoenix. AJHS is currently engaged in an expansion of the Cutler Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center that includes a 17,000 square foot addition, a state-of-the-art Holocaust Education Center, the Robert Stutz We Remember art collection, a special exhibit gallery, classrooms and event space (the "Project"). The Project will also include new displays, technology and lighting.
As part of the GO Bond Program, the City Council authorized contribution of $1,990,519 in GO Bond funding to the Project. The City's contribution will go towards design and construction of the Project, and in return, the City shall receive a 50 year extension on an existing conservation easement on the Congregation Beth Israel Historic Synagogue, a public access agreement ensuring public access to the Holocaust Education Center and other portions of the property, and other consideration as may be agreed upon between the parties. Staff are requesting City Council authorization for the City Manager, or his designee, to negotiate and execute a Funding Agreement with AJHS setting out the terms and conditions applicable to the City's funding, negotiate and execute the conservation easement amendment, negotiate and execute the public access agreement, and negotiate and execute any other necessary documents. Staff are further requesting authorization for the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
Financial Impact
The City will contribute a total of $1,990,519 in 2023 General Obligation Bond funds under the Funding Agreement. Funding for this agreement is available in the Office of Arts and Culture's Capital Improvement Program budget utilizing the General Obligation Bond. The Budget and Research Department will separately review and approve funding availability prior to the execution of any documents or amendments. Payments shall be made for all rendered services consistent with the terms set forth in the Funding Agreement, which may extend past the expiration of the Agreement utilizing General Obligation Bond funds.
Location
122 E. Culver Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Council District: 7
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Frank McCune and the Office of Arts and Culture.