A City Council-appointed task force recommended reimagining the future of the building at 1300 Gendy St. as a world-class cultural hub and redeveloping the property accordingly.
A 2022 study identified $26.1 million in needed repairs and upgrades to the City-owned building known as the Community Arts Center. Due to inflation and other factors, those costs could reach $30 million in 2023 dollars.
The Community Arts Center houses 14 residents, including nine nonprofit organizations and five studio artists.
Task force representatives, including Chairman Leonard Firestone and Vice Chairman Glenn Lewis, on Tuesday told councilmembers that the task force considered three possible scenarios for the building’s future: restoration, renovation and redevelopment. Members used seven factors to evaluate each development strategy.
The task force recommended that future development:
- Incorporate the architecture of the existing building.
- Include an incubator for emerging artists and a live theatre space.
- Include existing tenants if it is economically feasible.
What happens next?
June 13: City Council will vote on adopting a resolution accepting the final report of the task force and authorizing the city manager to proceed in implementing its recommendations.
June 21: Staff issues a request for proposals to redevelop 1300 Gendy St.
Sept. 14: Initial proposals are due.
October: Opportunities for public feedback on the proposals will be scheduled.
A five-member committee made up of City staff and community stakeholders will evaluate proposals.
