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<br /> <br />REPORT <br /> <br />To the Honorable Mayor and City Council <br />From Council Member Pierce <br /> <br />September 13,2000 <br /> <br />Subject <br />Update regarding the Historic Courthouse Restoration. <br /> <br />Recommendations <br />1. That Council designate seed money of no more than $15,000 to share the cost of <br />professional consultants. <br />2. Give direction to Council representatives regarding project and broader community <br />involvement. <br /> <br />Background <br />In April 2000, Council indicated support for the County Facilities Master Plan <br />that included the demolition of the WPA Fiscal Building and Annex, restoration of the <br />Historical Museum entry and creation of the resultant park/plaza area that will be caused <br />by the buildings demolition. Community members Nick Watry, Georgi La Berge, Roland <br />Giannini and John Anagnostou have founded and are leading the effort to proceed. Mitch <br />Postel, the Historical Museum Director, Mayor Ruskin, Councilmember Pierce, <br />Supervisors Jerry Hill and Rich Gordon, have been serving as liaisons with the group. <br />Before proceeding further, the committee recommends obtaining: 1) assessment of the <br />current demolition costs and architectural plans, 2) development of a funding strategy, <br />and 3) design of the resulting park/plaza area. <br />John Anagnostou and Nick Watry have offered to each contribute $5,000 as seed <br />money to secure the needed professional services and have asked the City and County to <br />contribute as well. Keith Bautista of DES Architects has offered to donate architectural <br />services to assess current demolition costs and renovation plans. Mitch Postel, the <br />Director of the Historical Museum, has urged using a consultant to assess the fundraising <br />capacity and strategy needed for this project. The information from the consultants will <br />allow all parties to make an informed decision regarding next steps for the project. <br />Additionally, the creation of a plaza/park in downtown is of broad concern to community <br />members and should include an opportunity for community involvement. Discussion by <br />Council regarding the seed money and other issues would provide direction for council <br />representatives. <br /> <br />Alternatives <br />Don't approve the seed money. Without the City's active financial and collaborative <br />involvement, the project is unlikely to proceed. <br /> <br />r"'.-T' <br />