Posting Language
Title
Approve an ordinance waiving or reimbursing certain development fees in an amount not to exceed $62,504 for the redevelopment of the Mexic-Arte Museum at 419 Congress Avenue.
De
Lead Department
Development Services Department.
Fiscal Note
A fiscal note is attached.
Prior Council Action:
January 27, 2022 - Council approved Resolution No. 20220127-055 directing the City Manager to present waivers for Mexic-Arte development fees for Council consideration annually on consent on Council Member Casar's motion, Council Member Fuentes' second on an 11-0 vote.
For More Information:
Tony Atkinson, Financial Analyst III; Development Services Department; tony.atkinson@austintexas.gov.
Additional Backup Information:
The Mexic-Arte Museum, established in 1984, is the official Mexican American Fine Arts Museum of Texas and is an important Austin institution that also provides vital education services. The non-profit museum offers outstanding cultural programs and presents art by emerging artists from the United States, Mexico, and Latin America.
On January 11, 2001, the city of Austin provided $740,000 to Mexic-Arte for the purchase of a building located at 419 Congress Avenue to permanently house its collections and operate its programs, in return for Mexic-Arte's agreement to rehabilitate and maintain the building and provide certain services, which benefits the public.
On November 7, 2006, Proposition 4 was approved by the city of Austin voters and included $5,000,000 for the new Mexic-Arte Museum. On November 6, 2018, Proposition B was approved by City of Austin voters, including an additional $15,000,000 for capital reinvestment needs related to Mexic-Arte building renovations and other facility modifications. The new Mexic-Arte Museum will enhance and expand the cultural institutions' educational and artistic programs for the Austin community. Approval of this ordinance will waive Mexic-Arte development fees annually until the completion of the project.
The Development Services Department has coordinated with other City departments to develop an estimate of development related fees for the Mexic-Arte Museum. The total amount of fees waived for the Mexic-Arte Musem project is not to exceed $62,504. This waiver will result in unrealized revenue in the amount of $62,504 for the General Fund and Development Services, Austin Energy, Austin Water, Transportation and Public Works, and Watershed Protection Departments. Development Services will seek reimbursement from the General Fund in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget to recover the unrealized revenue.