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Nance Farm project moves toward bidding; council asks for clearer ROI, funding contingencies
Summary
City staff said design and early work for the Nance Farm cultural hub is largely complete and the project will go to bid in late September; council members pressed staff for more detailed return-on-investment numbers, clarified that $600,000 has been spent so far, and asked about HOT tax and grant contingency plans.
City staff delivered an update on the Nance Farm restoration and arts hub on Sept. 15 and said phase bidding is scheduled for late September, but several council members asked for more detailed financial projections and contingency plans before the city solicits construction bids.
Dr. Esther Williams, director of community services and external affairs, described the project as a “land preservation with modern community use” and said community engagement has driven the plan since 2022. She presented a budget overview that lists roughly $583,500 for design and planning (nearly complete), $3.71 million for core Phase 1 facilities, $2.58 million estimated for Phase 2 site and landscaping and about $283,000 in alternates. Staff summarized the total investment as about $6.87 million for core elements and $7.15 million with alternates.
Williams and Rolanda Brigham, arts, culture and heritage manager, told council the consultants project near break‑even operationally by year five, with an estimated $350,000 in annual revenue and $334,000 in annual operating expense, leaving a projected net city input of about $16,000 per year once the site is operating. Williams said staff used conservative pro‑forma estimates and that resident-imposed limits — notably a 75-person cap for most events and only four larger events per year as reflected in the operational guidelines — reduced potential revenue.
Several council members asked for more detail. Council member Andre Byrd Sr. pressed staff on how much current community draw there is and what the annual operating cost will be; he and others asked when the city will recoup capital costs. Williams confirmed the city has already spent about $600,000 on design and demolition and that Phase 1 is being readied to go to bid: staff expects to advertise the solicitation Sept. 24 and allow a roughly 30-day bid window, with a goal of breaking ground in 2026.
Mayor Pro Tem Crystal Chisholm and others asked about funding contingencies if hotel-occupancy-tax (HOT) receipts fall short; Williams said staff is pursuing grants and a historic designation to access larger federal grant pools. Williams said operating costs for staffing would come from the city general fund in her department, while HOT tax and capital funds would support construction.
City Manager and senior staff signaled they will delay advertising the core bid briefly to assemble additional ROI metrics and respond to council requests for more granular financial and usage data. Council did not take action to alter the project scope on Sept. 15, but instructed staff to return with further documentation before proceeding to contract awards.
