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TDC recommends $1.25 million to help complete Art Center Manatee building; Board votes recommendation to county
Summary
The Tourist Development Council on Feb. 24 recommended a $1.25 million TDC contribution to Art Center Manatee’s capital project to help reach a temporary certificate of occupancy; the motion passed by voice vote and councilors asked that funds be used to secure the CO/TCO.
The Manatee County Tourist Development Council recommended a $1,250,000 grant to Art Center Manatee’s building project on Feb. 24 to help the nonprofit reach a temporary certificate of occupancy and finish construction.
Carla Neiman, speaking for Art Center Manatee, described the project as a near‑tripling of facility space from 10,000 to about 28,000 square feet with expanded studios, two‑story galleries and a covered courtyard for rentals. “We are going to have 9 studios…we will have two‑story galleries, which will allow for larger installations,” Neiman said.
Nut graf: Project costs have risen with construction‑market inflation; the Art Center’s board and development team reported ongoing private fundraising and said the TDC contribution would be pivotal to finish the capital project’s first phase and enable operations while the fundraising closeout continues.
Financial context: Board member Bruce Boddy reported the project total at about $15.5 million and said, before the added recommendation, roughly $2.9 million remained to be raised. He estimated that a $1.25 million TDC grant would reduce the outstanding need to about $1.75 million.
Council action and conditions: Tourism Director Elliot Falcone framed the TDC recommendation as targeted support to bring the project to a temporary operating certificate rather than funding unspecified later phases. Mayor Gene Brown moved the recommendation; David Wick seconded. The TDC approved the recommendation by voice vote.
Other clarifications: Neiman said the Sculpture Garden fronting the new building already has funding from the community redevelopment agency and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, so the TDC recommendation was focused on construction costs toward occupancy.
Ending: Council members praised the project as part of a downtown arts corridor and urged Art Center staff to use the recommended funds specifically to reach the certificate of occupancy and to leverage the TDC support for additional philanthropy.
