Town staff updated the Cultural Arts Commission on two multi-department projects: the Peters Colony Memorial Park public art effort and planning for the future cultural arts center.

Travis said the public-art team sent check-in emails to shortlisted artists for the Peters Colony Memorial Park project and provided a video rendering link to illustrate the park concept. Virtual meetings with shortlisted artists are scheduled to begin mid-December and staff said they are hoping for substantial completion of the park construction in January, though that timing depends on weather and construction factors. Travis also said the town formalized a policy for legacy monuments and children's memorials at the park; the policy was approved by the park board and a Parks and Recreation landing page and online form to request memorials will be published soon.

On the cultural arts center, Travis reported that the contract with architects has been signed and the steering committee held a half-day kickoff meeting. Staff are updating the market analysis and business plan and will conduct stakeholder meetings; several commissioners should expect invitations to stakeholder sessions. Travis said staff and the County Judge Eads plan site visits to three Phoenix-area arts centers (Mesa Arts Center, Tempe Center for the Arts, and Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts) to inform design and programming.

When commissioners asked about funding for the cultural arts center, staff reported that current funding identified through the TIRS (or similar tax-increment resources) and Denton County totals 50,000,000. Staff said the figure is the present allocation being used for planning but that design work will determine final cost and feasibility; they emphasized that construction and material costs remain uncertain until design proceeds.

Staff also said they are exploring a pop-up art gallery at an offsite location and will reach out to commissioners about volunteer and promotional opportunities.