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/
DOCKET TITLE:
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Consideration of a Lease Agreement between the City of Alexandria and the Arts Resource Foundation (dba Del Ray Artisans), for use of the Colosanto Center located at 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia 22301.
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ISSUE: City Council consideration of a Lease Agreement between the City of Alexandria and the Arts Resource Foundation (dba Del Ray Artisans), for use of the Colosanto Center located at 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia 22301.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council hold a public hearing and authorize the City Manager to execute the Lease Agreement (Attachment) substantially in the form attached between the City of Alexandria and the Arts Resource Foundation (dba Del Ray Artisans).
BACKGROUND: The Del Ray Artisans, founded in 1992, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote art for the benefit of artists and the community. The purposes for which Del Ray Artisans is organized are (i) to support new and emerging artists and artisans, (ii) to develop and foster community based arts activities, events and organizations, (iii) to develop and promote the arts as a resource for community outreach, and (iv) to make more available and accessible to the general public the full range of creative expression and artistic endeavors in the visual, performing and applied arts.
The Colosanto Center has been the home of the Del Ray Artisans for over 20 years and has become a cultural anchor for the Del Ray Community.
DISCUSSION: The Del Ray Artisans have been a part of the Del Ray community since their founding in 1992 and have been leasing the Colosanto Center for over 20 years. The center is free and open to the public four days per week and serves approximately 8,000 artists and community members each year.
The Del Ray Artisans have, and continues to be, a resource for the residents of Alexandria to meaningfully engage with the arts through a variety of educational and outreach activities. Community members are encouraged to show their artwork at monthly exhibitions; receptions are held for each exhibit in an effort to encourage direct interaction with artists and community members, and educational workshops are held on a regular basis to build skills and transfer knowledge.
FISCAL IMPACT: The rental rate is proposed at $500 per month which equates to $18,000 in revenue over the 3-year lease. The prior rental rate for a long period of time was $10 per year. This lease brings the rental rate up to date to a level that the Del Ray Artisans can afford and assists the City in recovering a portion of its costs.
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