City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 6, 2018
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
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Consideration of a Lease Agreement between the City of Alexandria and UpCycle Creative Reuse Center, for use of space at the Durant Arts Center located at 1605 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.
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ISSUE: City Council consideration of a Lease Agreement between the City of Alexandria and UpCycle Creative Reuse Center, for use of space at the Durant Arts Center located at 1605 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Receive this report recommending a Lease Agreement between the City of Alexandria and UpCycle Creative Reuse Center; and
2. Schedule a public hearing for June 23, 2018, and after the public hearing is concluded authorize the City Manager to execute the Lease Agreement (Attachment) substantially in the form attached between the City of Alexandria and UpCycle Creative Reuse Center.
BACKGROUND: UpCycle Creative Reuse Center, founded in 2011, is an Alexandria-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to connect creativity and conservation to promote artistic expression and environmentally sustainable behaviors. Upcycle envisions a community where everyone has the opportunity to experience the fun and benefits of art exploration and works collectively to reduce waste and repurpose unwanted materials. UpCycle rethinks the notion of waste, collecting cast-offs from the community to serve as creative materials. UpCycle gives people of all ages the opportunity to experiment, create and play with a variety of media for artistic use and expression.
UpCycle Creative Reuse Center has been based at the Durant Arts Center since 2015.
DISCUSSION: UpCycle Creative Reuse Center uses their leased space at the Durant Arts Center for their administrative offices, their community reuse store, and storage. Being located in the Durant Arts Center provides UpCycle exposure to audiences who come to the Center for other programs and allows UpCycle to operate in a facility that is in a prime location, with easy access to public transportation and free parking. The store inventory is affordable and changes constantly, providing inspiration and outlets for creativity.
UpCycle offers a variety of free and fee-based programs for children and adults in the community. The shop is open to the public four days per week. Donations of recycled items are received on Wednesdays and Saturdays. UpCycle has a Parknership agreement with the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities and has expanded their programming to include more free community programs and additional programs at other recreation centers.
The projects and experiences at UpCycle are personally meaningful, represent original thinking and demonstrate a willingness to take risks. While creating with reuse materials at UpCycle, there is freedom and choice of materials, which is very exciting and motivating.
FISCAL IMPACT: The lease rate is $7,056 per year which is the same rate as UpCycle’s expiring lease with the City. This equates to $21,168 in revenue over the 3-year lease term.
ATTACHMENT: Proposed Lease Agreement
STAFF:
Debra Collins, Deputy City Manager
James Spengler, Director, Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities
Diane Ruggiero, Deputy Director, Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities
Karen Snow, Assistant City Attorney