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'~ua~ty oi~0 STAFF REPORT
Library and Museum Services Department
August 18, 2009
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Carolyn Garner-Reagan, Director of Library and Museum Services C~~
SUBJECT: Proposed Museum Education Center
Recommendation: Provide direction
Sl1MMARY
The Major Gift Committee of the Arcadia Historical Society is proposing to raise funds for a
Museum Education Center which is to be built on the existing shuffleboard courts between the
Ruth and Charles Gilb Arcadia Historical Museum and the Community Center. At a January
20, 2009 study session, City Council approved the concept of a Museum Education Center but
did not commit any City funds at that time due to budget constraints. The Major Gift
Committee is now well into the design process and the City Council needs to approve this
concept for the project to proceed.
DISCUSSION
The Major Gift Committee of the Arcadia Historical Society is proposing to raise funds for a
Museum Education Center to be built on the existing shuffleboards courts between the Ruth
and Charles Gilb Arcadia Historical Museum and the Community Center. The committee is
chaired by Floretta Lauber and the members of the committee are: William Gleason, David
Lee, Lee Segal, and Sho Tay. Museum Curator Dana Dunn is an ex officio member.
The Historical Museum Commission considered this project at their January 7, 2009 meeting
and while they did not formally take action to approve it, they support the concept. At a
January 20, 2009 study session, City Council approved the concept of a Museum Education
Center but did not commit any City funds at that time due to budget constraints. Since
January, the Major Gift Committee has been working with architect Robert Daggett on plans
and his fees have been paid for by the Arcadia Historical Society, using funds which were
raised at the Museum's fifth anniversary celebration.
As now conceived, the total structure would be about 2,200 feet, with a covered "hospitality
terrace" designed to be a continuation of the existing covered patio at the back of the
Community Center. The interior space would be a large room of 1200 square feet, which
could be divided as needed into three rooms of 400 square feet each. The building also
includes a small gallery space, storage for tables, chairs, and supplies; restrooms with
janitorial closets; and two areas with sinks for those activities where water is needed.
City staff, including Development Services Staff and the City Fire Marshall, have reviewed the
conceptual plans and provided feedback, resulting in the most recent plan.
The primary issues, beyond the fiscal impact as discussed below, include the placement of the
building on the site between the Community Center and Museum, and how the new building
will fit architecturally. Additionally, no new parking is proposed so use of the Museum
Education Center could impact existing parking at the Community Center and Museum.
The Historical Society also wants assurance that the building will first and foremost be utilized
for Historical Museum purposes. Recreation programming can only take place if there is no
Museum related use planned. Staff concurs that Museum uses would always have priority.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for the building would be raised by the Arcadia Historical Society's Major Gift
Committee. Currently the committee is working with architect Robert Daggett on drawings.
Mr. Daggett's estimate for construction costs is $550,000 ($250 a square foot). Even if all of
the construction, architectural, and engineering fees were paid for through donations, the City
would incur an unknown fiscal impact related to staff time needed for the development of the
design and construction supervision.
In addition, there would be an annual fiscal impact to the City of maintaining the building which
is not known at this time. However, no additional staff would be proposed to manage the
facility.
RECOMMENDATION
In order for the Major Gift Committee of the Arcadia Historical Society to proceed with
fundraising, staff is requesting that the Council approve the plans in concept and provide
direction.
Approved by:
Donald Penman, City Manager