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North Port Art Center seeks long-term lease, outlines plan to raise up to $7.5 million for new facility
Summary
Volunteers from the North Port Art Center told the commission they must vacate their building by Sept. 1 ahead of demolition and are asking the city for a memorandum of understanding and a long-term lease so they can pursue fundraising. Staff said an MOU and lease language are being prepared
Gail West, volunteer president of the North Port Art Center, told commissioners at the June 2 workshop the art center expects to vacate the building it has used for about 18 years by Sept. 1 and that the city plans to demolish the structure beginning in October 2025.
West said the board is committed to returning to the same footprint at Sam Schapholz Way with a new destination art center but needs a memorandum of understanding and a long-term lease from the city before it can finalize floor plans, apply to foundations and seek major gifts. “As a volunteer board president, I ask the city of North Port, the commissioners, and the residents of this community to support the North Port Arts Center returning to the current footprint at Sam Schapholz Way. Let's begin this journey together,” West said.
West described programming the guild provides for children, seniors and veterans, including arts workshops for autistic children and a veterans art program that produces winning work in national competitions. She said the organization has temporary classroom space at the Lake Michigan Credit Union for summer instruction and is considering other public spaces such as the Scout House at Dallas White Park for fall youth programs.
She presented two conceptual floor plans prepared by a designer and cited preliminary cost estimates ranging from about $5.5 million for a single-story design to roughly $7.5 million for a two-story option that would provide on-site parking and additional meeting space. West said fundraising could take multiple years; she estimated a three- to five-year timeline depending on donor support.
City Manager Jerome Fletcher and staff told commissioners the city is preparing an MOU and lease draft to bring back to the commission for direction. “The MOU she mentioned is what we need you to weigh in on, and we're working on that and what it will look like in front of you,” Fletcher said. Staff said the commission would see formal language in coming weeks so the art center can document site control when meeting with foundations and potential donors.
Commissioners praised the art center’s programming and offered help. Several asked staff to include the MOU and lease language on a future agenda so the board can demonstrate stability to grantmakers; commissioners noted they were not being asked for direct operating funds at this time but said the city can assist by clarifying site availability and lease terms.
West asked the public to help with grassroots fundraising and community outreach while the board arranges a professional fundraising team and board members with business experience. The presentation closed with staff stating they will continue drafting the MOU and lease language and return the proposed documents to the commission for action prior to the stated September vacate date.
Next steps: city attorney and city manager will finalize MOU and draft long-term lease language and return to the commission for consideration; the art center will continue interim programming and begin targeted fundraising and donor outreach.
