RESOLUTION NO. 27-12

A RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDING FOR THE AVALON THEATRE RENOVATION PROJECT

RECITALS:

In the mid 1970’s the City Council established a Citizen’s Task force to investigate and make recommendations about a performing arts center in Grand Junction. That committee determined that the rehabilitation of the Avalon Theatre (formerly the Cooper) had many community benefits. An initial assessment was performed but due to the economic collapse of the early 1980’s the project was put on hold.

As the economy stabilized in the late 1980’s the Avalon project was renewed; the building was found to be strong and goals were set to rehabilitate and reuse the building for performing arts. The effort was widely supported because it would strengthen downtown by adding activity and entertainment.

In 1994 the City acquired the Theatre.

In 1996 the original 1923 facade was restored and the building began to host performance arts and movies more regularly. Since that time some minor improvements have been accomplished; however, the vision of the Theatre being remodeled has been elusive.

Many well intentioned citizens, consultants and others groups including but not limited to the Avalon Foundation Board, the Cinema at the Avalon, the Avalon Theatre Advisory Board, the Downtown Development Authority and Westlake, Reed and Lefkosky offered advice, suggestions, plans and recommendations on how to achieve the goal. For a number of reasons, until very recently, the goal has been unattainable.

In 2010 the DDA, the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra and the City entered into an agreement by which the Symphony would become the primary tenant of the Theatre. Included in that agreement were commitments for matching funds from the DDA and private fund raising commitments. That agreement has now been modified and due in large measure to the DDA’s offer to fund rather than match contributions, there is a functional and functioning starting point for making the vision a reality.

In 2012 the Avalon Foundation Board and the DDA agreed to commission architectural services for the Theatre. That work resulted in programming two phases of a renovation project; a phase known as the “core facility” renovation and the “enhanced facility” or “buildout” renovation phase. The cost of the core facility is work is projected to be 6 million; the complete or enhanced renovation is estimated to be 14 million.

On June 18, 2012 the City Council and the DDA Board met in joint session. At that time the DDA restated its commitment to fund 3 million of the core facility renovation. The City Council indicated its support of the project and directed City staff to prepare a resolution for the Council to consider at its June 20, 2012 meeting.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT AGREED AND RESOLVED BY THE GRAND JUNCTION CITY COUNCIL THAT THE CITY COMMIT FUNDING FOR 2013 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOREGOING RECITALS AND THE FUNDING FORMULA SET FORTH HEREIN BELOW:

Grand Junction Downtown Development Authority $3,000,000.00

City of Grand Junction $3,000,000.00

Private fund raising, grants and philanthropy for the core renovation $1,000,000.00

Private fund raising, grants and philanthropy for the enhanced renovation $7,000,000.00

FURTHERMORE, be it resolved that the improvements not be contracted for unless and until all of the funds have been raised and committed to the core renovation project.

Adopted this 20^th day of June  , 2012.

       /s/: Bill Pitts
President of the Council

ATTEST:

/s/: Stephanie Tuin

City Clerk