94-251 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