The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners on Nov. 5 received a staff report on the proposed Tampa Bay African American Arts and Cultural Center and approved a naming‑rights agreement allowing the nonprofit Tampa Bay African American Arts and Cultural Center, Inc. to formalize donor commitments and sponsorships.

County staff said the current project estimate is about $44.5 million, including a two‑story building of roughly 50,000 square feet and exterior amenities such as an amphitheater. Public funding identified in staff materials totaled about $16.25 million (a combination of county, state and a $1 million federal grant), and the nonprofit reported $7.8 million in private pledges. The naming‑rights agreement sets a target fundraising goal of at least $16 million over a 10‑year cycle to complete construction and support ongoing capital needs.

John Mueller, director of Facilities Management and Real Estate Services, told the board that construction bids will be solicited only after sufficient funds are in hand and that the county will control and receive construction‑designated funds held in a third‑party reserve account (Community Foundation of Tampa Bay) to ensure those dollars are used for county construction costs.

Nicole Travis, executive director of the nonprofit, said pledged gifts include multi‑million dollar commitments from corporate and family foundations and that the naming‑rights authorization is the ‘‘missing piece’’ to unlock additional private sector support. The nonprofit projected roughly 250 construction jobs, 50–75 permanent jobs and an estimated $10–$15 million in annual economic impact once operating.

Commission discussion centered on funding risks and operating costs. Commissioner Gwen Myers, who led the item and moved to receive the report and direct staff to work with the school district on Head Start colocations, emphasized community benefits and fundraising progress. Multiple commissioners, including Ken Hagan and Chris Cohen, noted the project’s potential value as a cultural and tourism asset.

Other commissioners pressed staff for clarity on long‑term operating costs and the potential tax impact if fundraising and earned revenue fall short. Deputy County Administrator Greg Horwedel said the county expects a mix of revenue sources (leasing, sponsorships, community redevelopment dollars) to offset operating costs but could not yet quantify a guaranteed offset. Commissioner Harry Cohen, among others, said investing in cultural infrastructure can be a long‑term enhancement to the county’s economic base. Commissioner Joshua Wostel and others sought safeguards to limit taxpayer exposure if private fundraising does not meet targets.

On the companion agenda item, the board approved a naming‑rights agreement that allows the nonprofit to enter donor agreements for internal spaces (galleries, classrooms, event spaces) and requires that funds designated for construction be deposited into a county‑beneficiary reserve account. The board reserved the county’s sole right to name the main building and included a morals clause and non‑perpetual naming terms. The naming‑rights approval passed 6–1 (Commissioner Wolstenholme cast the lone no vote).

The board also authorized staff to work on an interlocal agreement with Hillsborough County Schools for relocating McLeod Head Start programming to the recently announced Just Stewart rebuild, subject to further negotiation and formal agreements.

What’s next: staff will return with contract language, the interlocal agreement for Head Start, and any additional fundraising milestones. Construction solicitation and formal construction contracts will follow only after the county confirms available construction funding.

Votes: the board voted to receive the AAACC report and direct staff to work with the school district (g2) and later approved the naming‑rights agreement (b3).