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HomeMy WebLinkAbout94-251 Resolution No. 94-251 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ELGIN PUBLIC MUSEUM FUND RAISING PLAN BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY QF ELGIN, ILLINOIS, that the Elgin Public Museum Board of Directors is authorized to proceed with their fund raising plan and initiative and to include this proposal in the City' s 5-year financial plan proposals . s/ George VanDeVoorde George VanDeVoorde, Mayor . Presented: September 14 , 1994 Adopted: September 14, 1994 Omnibus Vote: Yeas 7 Nays 0 Attest : s% Dolonna Mecum Dolonna Mecum, City Clerk r - E I • in • Agenda Item No . August 16 , 1994 TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council FROM: Richard B. Helwig, City Manager SUBJECT: Elgin Public Museum Funding Proposal PURPOSE This memorandum will provide the Mayor and City Council with information to consider the Elgin Public Museum' s Board of Directors plan and initiative to complete the Elgin Public Museums building via both solicitation of private funds and funding within the City' s 5-year capital plan. • BACKGROUND The Elgin Public Museum building, a designated City Landmark, is the second oldest Illinois structure built to house a - museum which still serves that purpose. It is likely among the ten oldest such structures in the United States . The original neoclassical architectural design called for a cen- tral hall with west, east, and north wings . As it stands today, only the central and west wings are complete. In 1993, nearly 20,000 people visited the Elgin Public Muse- um. When compared to the annual total of five years ago, the 1993 attendance demonstrates a 63% increase. In recent years, the Museum has expanded its hours open to accommodate its growing popularity as tourist destination. In 1993, 9,500 young people and adults participated in museum programs, workshops and special events . Since the early 1990 ' s, the staff has had to rely on innovative scheduling and overlapping use of the existing space to meet the growing demand. In 1993, plans to complete the building, begun nearly one hundred years before, were again undertaken. Because of the • building' s historical significance, partial funding for the plan development was given by the State of Illinois through the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs Tourism Attraction Program. Elgin Public Museum Funding Proposal August 16 , 1994 • Page 2 As a highly used public building, it is important t=o respond to the American Disabilities Act (ADA) and local building safety codes . To many people - those who can't get up the stairs or through the door - the Elgin Public Museum does not exist . For these people, the completion of the building will truly be a "grand opening. " Significant challenges arise when a historic landmark build- ing is to be upgraded to meet the needs of the future . Be- cause the 1907 building is a landmark, maintenance of its architectural integrity inside and out is important . The building plans have been developed to allow construction to be completed in two phases . This phased plan will guaran- tee the museum' s ability to remain open to the public during construction. Phase I allows the building to meet all local building codes and ADA requirements, doubles the current exhibition space and provides improved work and storage space . It also com- pletes the historical neoclassical exterior of the building' s southerly face . Phase II of the building involves the construction of an • addition, north of the Phase I construction. This addition adds 3, 500 square feet of gallery/exhibition space and 700 square feet of multipurpose programming, meeting and workshop space . COMMUNITY GROUPS/INTERESTED PERSONS CONTACTED The Elgin Public Museum Incorporated Board of Directors has recognized the need to expand the Museum facility for many years and has discussed the subject extensively over the past seven years . Plans began to be formalized in 1992 , after matching planning funding was given by the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs Tourism Attrac- tion Program. Over the years , many community organizations have become aware of the Board ' s desire to expand the Museum facility. Informal discussions and input have been sought from individu- als associated with the following local organizations : City' of Elgin Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Elgin Heritage Commission, American Association of University Women, Izaak Walton League., Center for Independent Living, and friends and neighbors of Lords Park . A formal presentation was given early this year to the North \ • End Benevolent Association. The Elgin Public Museum Incorpo- rated Board of Directors felt that it was inappropriate to pursue further opportunities to make formal presentation until the City Council authorized the Museum to proceed. Elgin Public Museum Funding Proposal August 16 , 1994 Page 3 • FINANCIAL IMPACT Phase I - City Cost - Construction, remodeling, fees and contingency: $2, 716 , 000 . Exhibit construction and installa- tion: $150 , 000 (includes ADA and code requirements, see At- tachment A for square foot use breakdown) . Phase II - Private Donation - Construction fees and contingen- cies : $1 , 173, 000 . Exhibits construction and installation: $100, 000 ( see attached for square foot use breakdown. ) The Elgin Public Museum Incorporated intends to generate private, corporate and foundation funding for exhibit con- struction and installation and for the majority of Phase II construction, fees and contingencies . Solicitation will formally begin October 20 , 1994 with a kick-off cocktail dinner event at Matsushita Electric Corpora- tion of America, Midwest campus . Pledges payable over five years will be incorporated into the fund raising plan and 100% Elgin Public Museum Board of Directors ' participation is forthcoming. LEGAL IMPACT • None. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council authorize the Elgin Public Museum Board of Directors proceed with their fund raising plan and initiative and to include this proposal in the City' s 5-year plan financial plan proposals . Res ectfu y submitted, Greg Bayor, Director Parks and Recreation 4W Richard B. Helwig City Manager GB/kb • ATTACHMENT A Square Foot Estimates • 1907-present 1997 Phase I Phase II (+existing) (alone) Exhibits 2,906 5, 721 3,500 Storage 418 840 0 Office 621 1, 413 0 Store 56 166 0 Reception 119 826 0 Bathrooms 79 440 0 Furnace 88 168 0 Lab 110 110 0 Workroom 258 552 0 Multi-purpose Programming 0 0 707 • Miscellaneous 377 1 ,610 748 TOTAL 5,032 11 ,846 4, 955 TOTAL Phase I + Phase II = 16,801