09-23-19 Regular Meeting of the La Porte Development Corporation Board

Browse Search

REQUEST FOR LA PORTE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD AGENDA ITEM Appropriation Agenda Date Requested: September 23, 2019 Source of Funds: Requested By: Ryan Cramer, E.D. Coordinator Account Number: Department: Administration Amount Budgeted: Report Resolution Ordinance Amount Requested: Budgeted Item: Yes No Exhibits: Current program application SUMMARY In the past year, staff and the Board have seen a considerable rise in Enhancement Grant applications, which is not inherently bad, but many applications have strayed from the spirit of the program. To stem this, staff would like to know if the Board would be interested in adding language that prevents just signage or parking lot improvements to be eligible for the program. Staff believes it might be worth removing parking lot improvements from the program altogether. The other major change to the enhancement grant process will be the addition of the arts program. Many cities around the country have a public arts programs, but few cities of size do. This starts a series of questions to determine the direction the Board wants to go with the program: Does the City want to be buyers or collaborators? Many programs take the role of buyers by establishing funds to pay for these projects, often paid for by a 1% addition to all CIP projects the City does (Wylie, Texas; Claremont, CA; Greeley, CO; Bainbridge Island, WA) or just out of appropriate funds (Sugar Land, Texas). The buyer role is very similar to the purchasing process for anything the City does. The City would create a project and scope, then put out an open call to artists. This is costly, but it gives the City total control and creates a permanent exhibit. Fewer programs take the role of collaborator, which is where the City would provide grants to do the work. Houston and many major cities do this (also seen in Elgin, IL). Another option is to lease the work and use public space as a gallery for the artist to sell the work, some cities even taking a commission from sold pieces. Leasing is growing in popularity and can be found in locations such as Florence and Redmond, OR; Knoxville, TN; or Eden Prairie, MN. s initial idea for the program was a hybrid of these two ideas, providing some upfront money for materials, etc., then providing a public space for the artist to advertise their for sale art. The thinking behind this concept was using the grant to create a stable stream of new art, a risk with the leasing