Agenda Information Sheet
DEPARTMENT: Community Affairs
CM/ACM: Todd Hileman
DATE: April 4, 2017
SUBJECT
Title
Receive a report, hold a discussion, and give staff direction regarding any support for the Denton County Historical Park.
Body
BACKGROUND
The Denton County Historical Commission’s purpose is to preserve, protect, and promote the history of Denton County. The Commission directs the activities of the Denton County Historical Park, a hub for visitors to grow and learn together. The park is located on Mulberry Street, south of Denton’s Historic Square. In 2015, approximately 11,958 people visited the park. In 2016, that number increased to 12,393. The Historical Commission does not track the number of visitors that visit the park when the buildings are closed.
The park regularly hosts community events, including the Community Market, every Saturday beginning in April and ending in November of each year. The mission of the Denton Community Market is to strengthen the Denton community by providing economic opportunities for local artists, businesses, food vendors, and food producers to contribute to the vitality and livability of Denton.
Staff from the County Office of History and Culture, the Denton Community Market, and the City began meeting in December 2016, to develop a plan to improve the quality of experiences for those that attend the Historical Park. The County has a master plan for the Historical Park and would like to share it with the Denton City Council. They are also interested in exploring the interest of the City to assist with the costs of some capital improvements to the Park. These include electrical improvements, the addition of an awning for vendors at the Community Market, and the addition of a fence to surround the park and protect against vandalism. With the improvements to the Park, the experience for visitors will be enhanced and possibly increase tourism for the City of Denton.
Denton County is requesting financial assistance to complete improvements to the Denton County Historical Park. The improvements will benefit all of the events held at the park, including the Denton Community Market. Denton County has obtained the following estimates for improvements:
Electrical Improvements $ 93,466
Awning $101,810 $101,810
Total: $195,276
OPTIONS
Direct staff to provide Denton County a specific dollar amount for the requested improvements.
Direct staff to take some other action.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (Council, Boards, Commissions)
During the August 2, 2016, City Council Meeting, a Work Session item was presented to the Council from staff regarding the complications of utilizing the parking lot at 121 Exposition for an Event Center. After hearing concerns from staff, the general consensus of Council was to direct staff to identify other options and return a proposal.
FISCAL INFORMATION
As part of the FY 2015-16 Budget, Council approved $658,000 for the construction of an event center and parking lot at 121 Exposition. Of this amount, $253,000 was authorized for the event center, with $103,000 coming from the General Fund and $150,000 from Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Funds. The City entered into a professional services agreement for design services with Pacheco Koch and approximately $21,000 has been spent so far. The community event center was going to be the new location for the Denton Community Market. Below is a breakdown of the funding for the Community Event Center and parking lot:
Exposition Parking Lot Improvements - $405,000 (Funding April 2016 Certificates of Obligation)
Community Event Center - 103,000 (Funding from General Fund)
Community Event Center 150,000 (Funding - Tourist & Convention Fund)
Total Project Budget $658,000
STRATEGIC PLAN RELATIONSHIP
The City of Denton’s Strategic Plan is an action-oriented road map that will help the City achieve its vision. The foundation for the plan is the five long-term Key Focus Areas (KFA): Organizational Excellence; Public Infrastructure; Economic Development; Safe, Livable, and Family-Friendly Community; and Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship. While individual items may support multiple KFAs, this specific City Council agenda item contributes most directly to the following KFA and goal:
Related Key Focus Area: Safe, Livable & Family-Friendly Community
Related Goal: Provide and support outstanding leisure, cultural, and educational opportunities.
EXHIBITS
Denton County Historical Park Presentation
Respectfully submitted:
John Cabrales Jr.
Director of Community Affairs
Prepared by:
Vernell Dooley
Assistant Legislative and Media Relations Officer